Hazardous Winter Driving Conditions Oregon Drivers Should Watch Out For

The official start of winter is fast approaching, and with it, Portland drivers can expect roads to be increasingly affected by the onset of winter weather. Weather conditions such as snow, ice, and sleet can make driving on Oregon roads especially dangerous. Whether it’s your first winter in Portland or a drop in the bucket, it’s crucial to brush up on hazardous winter driving conditions in Oregon, and how to stay safe this season.

Impact of Winter Weather on Portland Roads

The first way that winter weather can create a risk for Portland drivers is through the way it impacts the road itself, making navigation and control more difficult and increasing the risk of a crash.

Reduced Traction on Road Surface

One of the most common and most serious elements of Oregon winter driving is the formation of ice on the roadway. Winters in Portland can see heavy rainfall, and moisture retained on the roads can freeze in low temperatures, creating icy road conditions.

Icy roads can reduce traction on the road surface, making it harder to accelerate, brake, and steer your vehicle. It’s important to keep your eyes on the road ahead, as you may be able to spot icy patches ahead and steer clear. However, this is sometimes easier said than done, especially if you’re dealing with black ice. Thus, it’s important to know what to do when you hit black ice, or any kind of ice on the road.

In addition, you can mitigate the danger of snowy and icy roads by putting chains on your tires—in fact, Oregon law expects drivers to carry tire chains during the winter and even requires their usage on certain parts of the roadway. Studded tires are another way to improve your vehicle’s traction on icy roads, though they are only legal to use in Oregon from the beginning of November to the end of March.

Road Blockages

In some situations, especially when Portland’s winter weather is particularly severe, drivers may be impacted by blockages such as snow buildup or fallen trees blocking the roadway. Fortunately, you can track traffic conditions in Portland ahead of time using the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool. This website allows you to get up-to-date information on slowdowns, closures, and other factors affecting your trip. You can even view recent captures from traffic cameras to help you spot any potential issues.

However, even with the use of this tool, you can’t predict every possible slowdown. During the winter, we recommend that Portland drivers leave early to allow time to reroute in case of unexpected obstacles.

Impact of Winter Weather on Visibility

The presence of snow and ice on the roads naturally can lead to hazardous winter driving conditions in Portland—but the dangers of winter weather extend beyond just their effect on the road’s surface. One other common danger of Oregon winter driving is reduced visibility, which can occur for a few reasons.

Accumulation of Snow & Frost

If snow, ice, and frost are piling up on sidewalks, roadways, and rooftops, chances are they’re also accumulating on top of your vehicle. Especially during winter weather, where the risk of drivers skidding or losing control is increased, and there are other effects limiting visibility, it is absolutely crucial to be able to see what’s happening on all sides.

Of course, this problem is less likely to affect Portland motorists who keep their vehicle in a garage or other sheltered location, but there are further steps you can take to minimize the impact of these conditions:

• Keep a windshield scraper in your vehicle at all times.
• Ensure that your defroster is functional.
• Park under a carport, awning, or other covering, whenever possible.
• Park facing East, so that the rising sun can help melt ice off your front windshield in the morning.
• Keep windshield wipers up when not driving, to prevent them from freezing to the windshield.
• Purchase de-icing spray for your windows and windshields and treating them in the evening when you’re expecting freezing temperatures.
• Always head to your vehicle earlier than you normally would to allow time to warm it up and scrape off any unwanted buildup.

Snow, Fog, & Freezing Rain

In addition to obstructions forming on windshields, visibility can also be limited in wintertime by atmospheric conditions, such as snow, sleet, rain, and fog. High levels of precipitation during Portland winters can lead to hazy conditions throughout the day, making it harder to see what’s ahead.

When dealing with any of these conditions, it’s important to use low-beam headlights to help you see the road ahead, and to make it easier for other drivers to see you. However, avoid using your high-beam headlights if possible, as these are more likely to reflect off of rain, fog, or other conditions to harm visibility instead of helping.

Glare From Fallen Snow & Ice

One more way that winter driving conditions in Oregon can impact visibility is through glare from snow and ice on the ground. Snow and ice are naturally reflective surfaces, and when the sun hits them at the right angle, it can cause a high amount of glare, making it harder for Portland drivers to see clearly ahead of them and even posing a risk of harming your vision in the long-term.

While we don’t typically associate sunglasses with the winter time, carrying a pair of strong protective sunglasses in the car can be a lifesaver in dealing with these situations.

Impact of Winter Weather on Vehicles

There is one more major way that wintry conditions can spell danger for Portland drivers. But rather than affecting the environment you drive in, these are hazards to your vehicle itself. Here are a few ways Portland winters can affect your vehicle.

Tire Pressure

When the weather gets colder, the air pressure in your tires may start to drop more rapidly than normal. This is important to keep an eye on, because tires with low pressure come with a host of problems—worse handling, less fuel efficiency, and more wear and tear on your tires.

During the colder months, it’s recommended to check and refill your tire pressure more regularly than you normally do. The recommended amount of pressure for your front and back tires is usually found inside the driver-side door of your vehicle.

Battery Drain

Cold temperatures can also wear out your battery faster than normal, requiring more energy to power the vehicle as well as slowing and stiffening the moving parts.

It’s a good idea to take your car in for regular maintenance to prepare for the winter months. This can help address conditions which could increase strain on your battery, such as corrosion or an overdue oil change. Also, be extra mindful of devices like lights and car chargers which draw from your vehicle’s battery power, and use them only as needed.

Additional Ways to Stay Safe

It is of vital importance for Portland drivers to be aware of the many potential dangers of winter driving. Oregon’s negligence law dictates that in the event of a snow accident in Oregon, your own negligence can reduce your overall available compensation amount. This is all the more reason to remain cautious and practice safe driving in Oregon.

However, there is no way to reduce the risk of snow accidents in Portland by 100%. Hazardous winter driving conditions on Oregon roads can lead to accidents even if you are following every safety tip in the book. In the event that an accident cannot be avoided due to winter driving conditions, you can still reduce your losses by knowing what to do after a car accident.

Seeking Compensation for Snow Accidents in Portland 

Looking for a Portland attorney to assist with your snow accident case? Call Senft Injury Advocates today for a free consultation. We have over thirty years of experience handling auto accident cases, and our no-win, no-fee policy allows you to pursue compensation without financial risk. We’re available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to get in touch as soon as possible. 

Sources

• Oregon Department of Transportation, “Chains and Traction Tires.”
• TripCheck.com