A change of seasons. Changing your driving style.
A pril showers bring May flowers, and rain and sleet. Spring driving conditions include melting snow and icy roads in addition to rain, mist, and fog hazards. A driver must use extra caution while driving on the roadways. Here are some safety tips to follow:
Be patient and slow down. Saving a few minutes of time is not worth speeding and crazy lane changes. Increase your following distance at the first sight of rain or mist. The smallest amount of water can mix with oil or road grease on the road to create very slippery conditions.
Use your low beam headlights. If you vehicle has designated fog lights - that’s even better. If you don’t have them and you live in an area that has fog and or misty season, then maybe you should consider purchasing some. Don’t use your high beams. High beams reflect water vapor (fog) and make it harder for you to see. Depending on where you live it may be legally required for you to use your low beams if your visibility is limited to 500 feet or there is precipitation.
If you are driving in rain or fog that totally impairs visibility, use your common sense and pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your hazard lights. Turn off your lights. Keeping your lights on may cause another driver to rear-end you by giving them a false sense that you are moving and that is where the road is.
Keep the inside of your windshield clear of moisture. Turn on your fan and defroster. Direct the air to your windshield and close the side and front facing vents. If not successful with the heater, try the air conditioner - it may work wonders as well.
Allow for extra following distance. A car requires two to ten times more distance to stop on a wet road than on dry pavement. Make sure that you have your brakes in top condition and your brake fluid at the proper level. Trying to brake in the middle of a down-pour on a mountain road is no time to find out that your brakes have failed.
Avoid dancing in the rain and driving through large puddles. It might have been fun to do as a kid but it’s downright dangerous to do in a car. The splashing water can affect your brakes, cause your car to swerve, and impair the vision of other motorists. A foot deep pothole making be lurking underneath that puddle as well. Hit it and may cost you a lot more than you think.
Follow in the footsteps of others. Watch the road to see if the vehicle ahead of you is leaving any tracks in the water. If it is, then follow in those tracks if you can. If it's not, reduce your speed to prevent potential hydroplaning.
Be alert for icy conditions caused by thawing snow, spring rains or mist, especially in shaded areas, on bridges and on overpasses. Remember that these elevated and exposed areas are the first to freeze.
Lastly, pay attention for pedestrians. They may not be as alert to traffic in the rain and fog, and they are more difficult for you to see during these times. Approach intersections with caution and don’t rely on predictive conditions. Expect the unexpected and live to smell the flowers.
Telling the future by looking at the past assumes that conditions remain constant. This is like driving a car by looking in the rearview mirror.
- Herb Brody
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