Tips for Driving in Inclement Weather

Safe driving requires unbroken concentration and single-minded focus on the road and other vehicles around you. Most drivers take safe driving seriously and are able to get from point A to point B without incident due to the skills they’ve acquired over the years.

However, certain conditions can make driving much more difficult and dangerous than many drivers are used to—and that can lead to potentially life-threatening results. At Matt Hardin Law, our Tullahoma car accident lawyer know that many drivers who are normally safe and cautious behind the wheel get into accidents during inclement simply due to their lack of familiarity with driving in poor conditions.

Tips for Various Weather Conditions

If you find yourself driving in poor weather, check out the following tips below to stay safe and decrease your chances of being involved in a serious accident:

• Fog

Excessive fog can reduce visibility down to levels that make it difficult for drivers to see beyond a few feet in front of their vehicles. Fog is responsible for some of the deadliest crashes in U.S. history, including major pile-ups on some of the country’s biggest interstates. In fact, many interstates in areas that are prone to fog are often shut down in anticipation of the reduced visibility.
If you have to drive through significant fog, it’s important to turn on your low-beam headlights or fog lights to prevent the fog from reflecting the light directly back at you. You should also slow down and avoid changing lanes if possible. Finally, avoid stopping on the road for any reason, as approaching drivers may not see you or your vehicle until it’s too late. Instead, pull over onto the shoulder as far as you can if you need to stop your vehicle.

• Rain

Rain is at its most dangerous when it first begins and during heavy downpours—but drivers should exercise heightened caution no matter when they drive during rainstorms. When rain first accumulates on roadways, it can mix with oil and cause the asphalt to become extremely slippery and difficult for tires to gain traction. That can make even mild braking, lane changes, and turns become dangerous, as vehicles are susceptible to hydroplaning and becoming hard to control. Heavy rains are also hazardous, as they limit visibility and can cause large amounts of standing water to accumulate on roadways.
When driving through any type of rain, reduce your speed, turn on your headlights, and try to reduce your reliance on your brakes. Instead of braking directly before a turn or intersection, anticipate your need to stop and take your foot off the gas a good distance away from the area where you need to slow down. This helps prevent your vehicle from losing traction due to the mixture of water and oil.

• Snow/ice

Drivers in Tennessee know that snow and ice storms are rare enough in the state that emergency crews are often unprepared to fully treat the roads. That means side roads often receive no salt or plowing whatsoever, while main highways and interstates can range from dangerous to impassable. Thick layers of snow on roadways can hide the true danger that lurks below: ice accumulation. Even the best equipped vehicles are often no match for patches of ice, as tire treads are completely unable to gain traction on such a slippery surface.
You should avoid driving during or after winter storms as much as possible, but if you must get on the roads, drive slowly and cautiously—especially over bridges, as they can quickly ice over when the temperatures drop below freezing. It’s also important to stick to main roads and highways as much as possible, as these areas typically receive the most treatment from road crews and are often safer than other roads.

What to Do after a Car Accident in Inclement Weather

Proving responsibility after a car accident that occurred in bad weather can be difficult, as the conditions can make it appear that both drivers may be at fault. However, the Tullahoma car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law have years of experience dealing with accidents that occur in bad weather, and we know how to investigate your accident and determine who caused it.

Let us help you get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Dial fill out a free online form today. We’re here to help.