Winter Storm In Oregon Could Cause Hazardous Road Conditions

Residents of Oregon and Washington have been warned of an impending winter storm that may result in hazardous road conditions. With the snow building up rapidly, driving may become extremely dangerous for residents of Portland as well as other cities in Oregon.

Steve Pierce, a KOIN 6 Meteorologist, said, “A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service that includes the Columbia River Gorge as far west as Corbett, all the way out to Hood River starting Tuesday afternoon. Driving along I-84 east of Portland will become an issue by late [Tuesday] as the snowfall intensifies.”

As per the forecast, several regions, including the Western Columbia River Gorge, Upper Hood River Valley, Central Columbia River Gorge, Northern Cascades, Coast Range of Northwest Oregon, Willamette Valley, Greater Portland, and Vancouver, will witness moderate to high snowfall, along with wind gusts between 35 to 45 mph or higher.

The Many Risks Of Driving During A Winter Storm

The falling snow and high wind speeds make driving very dangerous during winter storms. The number of traffic collisions is also found to increase, especially when people ignore safety precautions. Here are some of the risks posed by such unfavorable weather conditions.

Slippery Roads

The falling snow not only obstructs the movement of traffic to cause traffic jams but may often melt and refreeze to form a slippery layer of ice over the road. And as this thin sheet of ice isn’t as clearly visible to commuters as white snow is, they tend to pay little attention while driving over such areas.

As a result, speeding cars often lose control due to the slippery ice, leading to traffic accidents. This is especially true if you have to make a sudden stop or turn – the lack of enough traction between the car tires and the ice will make it difficult to maneuver the car.

Low Visibility

Falling snow can also affect visibility while you’re driving. This is more so during a winter storm, as wind gusts can blow the snow particles directly into your car windshields. As a result, you may fail to notice any pedestrian or oncoming vehicle on the street. This low visibility is another cause of traffic collisions.

Fallen Trees Or Poles

Winter storms often witness high wind speeds, which can knock down trees along the sides of the roads. Such fallen branches and trees can not only cause power outages by falling on electric wires but also obstruct the road. And due to the low visibility, drivers may not see the fallen tree or branches and collide with them.

Some Safety Precautions

Unfortunately, even if you collide with another car or person due to unfavorable weather conditions, you may be liable to compensate them for any injuries or damages. Therefore, if you are driving during a winter storm, it’s best to follow the safety precautions mentioned below to lower the risk of accidents.

• Drive slowly – It will give you a better chance of identifying obstructions when the visibility is low.
• Keep your focus on the road – Avoid texting or talking on the phone while you are driving during bad weather.
• Keep an emergency kit – It will come in handy in case you are stranded due to the snow.
• Use your headlights – This will ensure that oncoming cars can see you, thereby lowering the risk of collision.

Summing Up

With a winter storm being forecast in Oregon, it’s the duty of every resident to take steps to ensure their safety. However, despite following the safety precautions, many people get into car accidents due to dangerous driving conditions. If you were unfortunate enough to face such an accident due to the fault of another driver, you are eligible for compensation for the damages you suffered.

Make sure to get in touch with a capable Portland personal injury attorney for guidance on the legal procedures you can follow.