As a motorist, you can’t always predict road conditions and adverse weather. Even if you could, you might not be aware of what to do when caught in bad weather. It can be lifesaving to properly prepare for what to do when driving during adverse weather conditions. The following helpful bad weather driving safety tips can help!

Bad Weather Driving Safety Reminders

Flooded Roads

It may be difficult to tell how deep puddles of water on roads are. It only takes around one foot of water to float a car or smaller SUVs. The moment your vehicle floats, your car is like a boat without paddles. Even if you know the road well, under the floodwater there may be damage or sections of the road that is washed away.

When approaching a flooded road, stop your vehicle and take a minute to find an alternative route instead of putting your life in danger. Keep in mind that larger-scale rivers can overflow because of heavy rain. This can cause flooding days later in downstream areas. Also, flash flooding in higher terrain areas can arrive in a lower geographical area where it hasn’t rained.

Severe Weather

You might think that bad weather sweeps through and then the skies clear, suggesting the bad weather is clear. However, it is often not that simple. In the midwest, there can be thunderstorms and strong winds, followed by a round of thunderstorms and tornados with damaging winds later in the afternoon or evening.

Unless the National Weather Service clears your area from a severe thunderstorm or flash flood, don’t assume all is well and that you can resume driving in that area after one round of severe thunderstorms. There might very well be another severe thunderstorm moving toward you within the next hour or so.

Tornado Sirens

Tornado sirens are meant to warn people who are outdoors to stay safe and seek shelter. However, in some areas, you might be too far away from the nearest siren to hear it. It is better to have several ways of receiving National Weather Service warnings, including NOAA Weather and an alert sent to your smartphone, before venturing out. Make sure that your smartphone is fully charged before leaving home and the do not disturb function is turned off when severe weather is reported or expected.

Driving in Rainy Weather

Driving in rain can lead to slippery roads and unfavorable driving conditions. However, if you drive slowly and follow these safe driving tips, you can better navigate the streets when rain arrives.

• Turn on your headlights to make sure you are seen and can be seen better during a rainstorm.
• When driving through an unexpected rainstorm, reduce speed gradually by taking your foot off the accelerator.
• Make sure you increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This will give you enough time to stop your car, should the car in front of you stop unexpectedly. Keep at least three to five cars lengths behind.
• Avoid braking suddenly as this might cause your car to skid.
• Bear in mind that it can be difficult to see through wet side windows and mirrors. Be aware that other vehicles might be in your blind spot.
• Beware of oil patches on the road that will make the road more slippery. Should you go through such an oil patch, stay calm and don’t brake suddenly, just steer through it. Luckily, in most cases, the patches of oil will be small.
• Wait a short time after it started raining before using your windshield wipers, because the dry blades may smudge your windscreen and make it difficult to see.
• If there is an oncoming vehicle that is overtaking from the opposite direction, and is not likely to do so safely, slow down and be prepared to move to the emergency lane if necessary.
• Only move towards the emergency lane if you can see clearly for about 164 yards ahead down the emergency lane, making sure that there are no pedestrians or vehicles already in the emergency lane.

Keep safe during all your travels, and rather be on the safe side when making decisions while driving.

Additional Information: Driving in Severe Weather

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