Weather is an unstoppable product of Mother Nature, but when it comes to driving it’s no doubt a hindrance. Every year, approximately 5,748,000 crashes occur, and 1,259,000 (approximately 22% of them) are weather-related.
From these devastating weather-induced accidents, nearly 6,000 people are killed and 445,000 are injured. The vast majority of these crashes are due to slick roads during rainfall, while a much smaller amount occurs during winter conditions.
According to one study, the vast majority (70 percent) of fatal weather-related crashes in America were caused by limited visibility and loss of traction due to rain—with West Virginia ranked as the most deadly state in 2021.
Weather conditions that can lead to a higher risk of getting into a car accident include:
- Wind
- Precipitation (rain, snow, hail, etc.)
- Fog
Below are several tips to help you become a safe driver in these types of conditions.
Slow down
At a minimum, you should reduce your speed by at least ten miles below the suggested limit. If this still seems too fast and you’re uncomfortable, cut back more. Speed limit signs are recommended with optimal driving conditions in mind. It’s up to the driver to determine a safe speed when bad weather conditions impair visibility and make driving the speed limit unsafe.
Beware of black ice
Black ice is very difficult to see and often forms on bridges and in the shadows of tall buildings where the sun doesn’t reach. Always slow down gradually when you’re about to approach stops signs and traffic lights if you suspect black ice.
Don’t brake during a turn
Instead of braking when turning, gradually take your foot off the gas and feather the brakes when making a turn. Don’t slam the brake or the gas, as slick pavement could cause you to spin out of control.
Turn into a skid, not away from it
During a skid, you must try to remain calm even though it’s a stressful situation. Take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel into the direction the car is skidding rather than in the opposite. This will help in cancel out the skid and prevent you from spinning out.
Turn lights on
Be sure to turn your lights on during a storm or in fog so that other drivers can see you. You may not necessarily need them to see, but keeping them on for others to see is important when visibility is limited due to weather — even during the day.
Never tailgate
It takes longer for your vehicle to brake during wet or snowy conditions. Therefore, you shouldn’t tailgate. Rather, keep a longer-than-usual distance between you and the car in front of you. Experts recommend you leave a minimum of 100 yards between you and the vehicle (that’s the size of a football field).
Keep a firm grip on the wheel
When driving in a storm, you never storm when a huge gust of wind may blow in. Always have both hands placed firmly on the wheel just in case you need to steer out of a potential accident.