Most drivers do not stay home from work because of bad weather, nor do they find alternate modes of transportation. The same goes for drivers who have appointments or plans they want to keep. Driving in inclement weather is a part of life for most drivers.
Unfortunately, driving in bad weather is dangerous, but unless a state of emergency is declared, there will always be drivers battling the conditions to get where they are going. The Federal Highway Administration reports that on average, about 22 percent of accidents each year in the U.S. are weather-related.
To make sure you remain safe in inclement weather, it is wise to take a look at some driving safety tips:
- Avoid driving. The best way to avoid a weather-related car accident is to avoid driving in bad weather. Listening to the radio for weather updates can be helpful.
- Find an alternate route. Find an alternate route if possible to avoid fast-driving vehicles or bad road conditions.
- Maintain your car. Maintain your required tire pressure. If your tires are worn, buy new ones. Replace your wiper blades if they are not working properly, and check your wiper fluid. Keep your brakes in good working condition, and clean your headlights before driving.
- Have an emergency kit. Remember to carry an emergency kit just in case.
- Do not tailgate other vehicles. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Brake slowly, and avoid slamming your brakes at all costs. Drive slowly and carefully, and avoid passing other vehicles.
- Know what to do when you hydroplane. In the rain, hydroplaning is common and extremely dangerous. Hydroplaning is when your tires lose their grip due to a thin layer of water on the road. The result is often the temporary loss of steering and braking capabilities. The best way to prevent this is to avoid areas where there is water buildup, such as puddles or streams of water.
- Pull over if you can. If the conditions are too dangerous, safely pull over and let the weather clear.
What Weather Conditions Are the Most Dangerous?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rain causes about 46 percent of weather-related accidents. Rain is a frequent occurrence all year long that people expect and get used to driving in, and maybe that is why more accidents occur in the rain than in any other inclement weather condition.
Snow, sleet, ice, and fog are also dangerous to drive in, but more people stay off the roads or drive more cautiously in those conditions. Rain, maybe because of its frequency, does not have the same effect on drivers as other weather conditions.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Represent Those Injured in Weather-Related Accidents
One of our experienced Atlantic City car accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm can help you if you were in a weather-related collision. Call us at 609-926-3300 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we serve clients in South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.