According to The Weather Channel, wet pavement and rain were the two top contributors to weather related automobile crashes, based on 10 year averages. In 2016, there were 220 fatalities on Texas roads during rainy weather and more than 50,000 accidents. Although not all of these accidents were directly caused by the weather conditions, rain and other adverse conditions are main contributing factors to many accidents. Many people might think of Texas as being hot and sticky, but it is not a stranger to rain storms.
Driving Conditions During Storms
When a rain storm is occurring drivers must have their guard up and be extremely cautious on the road. Wet and windy weather means that drivers will have their vision obscured. It’s not so easy to see in front of you when it’s raining, your wipers are going, and it’s gray and dark. Rain makes the roads slick too, making it harder to slow down and stop as quickly. Another way the weather could be affecting your safety is the strength of the wind during a storm. You might think you’re safe in your vehicle, but high winds can bring down trees and even blow some vehicles off-course.
Precautions Drivers Should Be Taking
When a rainstorm is taking place and you have somewhere to be, taking extra precautions will keep others and yourself safe on the road. There are various things you can do to avoid increasing your chance of getting in an accident.
• Only Make Necessary Trips
If the wind and rain outside are strong, going for a drive might not be the best idea. Keep an eye on any weather warnings and advice that might have been issued. While there are some trips you can’t exactly avoid, there are other times where you could just as easily stay put. Try only to make necessary trips instead of driving just for the sake of it.
• Keep Your Speed in Check
Driving too fast isn’t a great idea when there’s a storm. The wet roads make it harder to control your speed, and braking will take longer than usual. Exceeding the speed limit is illegal and doing so in the rain is a grave danger to others and yourself.
• Leave More Distance Between You and Other Vehicles
Because braking in the rain is more difficult and you’ll be slower to stop, make sure you’re not getting too close to any other vehicles. If you’re right behind another vehicle and you need to stop suddenly, you could end up ploughing right into them.
• Watch Out for Strong Winds
If there are strong winds accompanying the rain you need to be aware of the possibility of getting blown about or of falling objects. Make sure you’re in full control of your vehicle, with both hands on the wheel, so you’re ready for anything. Be especially careful when driving in areas with trees, as falling branches or even trunks could cause severe damage.
Jeff’s here 4 you!
Take care while you’re out on the road during storms. If you ever need our help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are available to take your call 24/7! You may text and/or call the 4’s and 9’s! SA (210) 444-4444 RGV (956) 444-4444 Corpus (361) 444-4444</span