Unfavorable driving conditions can be downright dangerous. Unfortunately, they are a common part of daily life, and due to our jobs and need to get around, it’s not realistic to avoid driving whenever the weather goes sour.
It’s important, therefore, to practice safe driving methods so that you know how to safely get around in extreme weather. From tornadoes to snowstorms, here are some of the best tips for driving in lousy weather.
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Plan In Advance
Driving in bad weather usually means your route taking double or triple as long as it would otherwise. It’s usually much more stressful and challenging. Therefore, it’s essential to plan ahead and anticipate the extra time it will take to arrive at your destination. Otherwise, you’ll not only find yourself late, but you may also get into an accident.
Check the weather before you leave your house to see if it will clear up or is determined to get worse along the way. If the weather report shows signs of clearing up soon, you may want to wait until that’s happened before getting your car if possible.
Keep The Right Following Distances
It’s important that you leave enough distance between you and the car in front of you. Driving experts emphasize the importance of doubling your space even more than usual when the weather is unpredictable. You never know when you’ll have to brake suddenly, which could result in ramming into the car in front of you. Brake time should be much slower when the roads are slick.
In addition to keeping plenty of distance between you and your fellow drivers, you should slow down your speed. Skids and crashes are ten times more likely to occur when you’re going too fast.
Use Your Headlights
It’s crucial that other cars see you when conditions may limit visibility. Always use your headlights so that people see you coming, particularly in fog. Remember to use your low beams, not high beams. The last thing you want to do is blind your fellow drivers.
Turn On The Radio
In some cases, you should listen to the radio, so you stay up to date with current traffic conditions as a result of the weather. They may offer relevant information or alternate routes in the event that certain roads are closed.
Even though you may be tempted to simply use your phone, and think your radio is ancient technology, it’s important to stay focused. Use your radio and keep your eyes on the road!
These are just a few of the ways that you can reduce your chances of getting into an accident while driving around in bad weather. When in doubt, use your best judgment and, if possible, try to stay home when things are particularly bad.
