Driving Safely in Adverse Weather Conditions

Driving Safely in Adverse Weather Conditions 1

Check the Weather Before You Start Driving

Before you hit the road, it is essential to check the weather. Make sure to check the forecast for the day and the entire journey. This knowledge can help you decide whether it’s safe to drive or not.

Check Your Car

After checking the weather, you should also check your vehicle before setting off. Here are a few things to check:

Driving Safely in Adverse Weather Conditions 2

  • Ensure all lights are functional
  • Check your brakes
  • Check your tires and tire pressure
  • Ensure your windshield wipers are working correctly and replace worn-out blades
  • Adjust Your Driving

    Driving in adverse weather conditions demands that you adjust your driving style to avoid accidents. Here are a few tips for making necessary adjustments to stay safe while driving:

  • Drive more slowly than usual
  • Use your low beam headlights to ensure that you can see the road and other vehicles can see you
  • Keep a more significant distance than the usual following distance
  • Be gentle on the brakes and accelerator to avoid skidding
  • What to Do When You Encounter Fog

    Fog can be challenging to drive through, especially if it’s thick. Here is what to do:

  • Reduce your speed and use your low beam headlights if possible, and if there’s no other vehicle behind or in front of you.
  • Do not use high beams as they will reflect off the fog and glare back, worsening your vision.
  • In dense fog, roll down the windows to hear other vehicles’ sounds, especially sirens, or a train whistle.
  • If the fog is too thick or too much for you to see the road ahead, pull over and wait for it to clear or become less thick.
  • What to Do When You Encounter Heavy Rain

    Heavy rain can make driving challenging, and it increases your chances of getting in an accident. Here are a few tips for safe driving during heavy rain:

  • Slow down, use your low beam headlights, and make sure you increase the following distance.
  • If the rain is too heavy or you’re unable to see the road, pull over and wait for it to decrease or stop.
  • If you must continue driving, make sure to drive along the right edge of the road, since water tends to accumulate in low areas.
  • Do not drive through flooded streets, and never underestimate the depth of the water. Driving through the water may cause your vehicle to stall, in which case you’ll need to call a tow truck.
  • What to Do if You Skid

    If you happen to lose control of the car and skid, do the following:

  • Stay calm and steer into the skid. Steer in the direction you want to go as opposed to where the car is headed.
  • Avoid hitting the brakes, as this can cause the car to spin.
  • Wait till the car slows down, and you feel that you have once again regained control then continue driving.
  • Conclusion

    Driving in adverse weather can be daunting, but with the right preparation, careful driving, and adjustments, you can stay safe on the road. In summary, check the weather before starting the journey, ensure your car is ready, adjust your driving to the weather conditions, and know how to handle fog, heavy rain and skidding. To deepen your understanding of the subject, make sure to check out this thoughtfully chosen external resource we’ve arranged to accompany your reading. Investigate this valuable resource!

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