How Weather Can Affect Your Driving
The weather can never seem to make up its mind. One minute you have glorious sunshine, the next it’s cold and raining. This is not too much of a problem if you are at home with nowhere to go, unless of course, you left washing out.
When you need to drive, or are already out, changing weather conditions may mean that you need to adapt your driving style to remain safe and in control. This can be especially important on higher speed roads or those which may be deemed locally as speed trap roads. While you can make your driving safer, you can never truly guarantee that others will follow suit, meaning you will need to be especially vigilant to the behaviour of other road users who may be driving erratically. In these instances, accidents are much more likely – for more info speak to a car accident lawyer from Oakland.
Rain
Rainy weather can cause many problems with your driving. Heavy rain may make it difficult for you to see the road ahead or any hazards. Hydroplaning, where the car skids and slides over the water’s surface, may also occur. It is important to check that you have sufficient tire tread depth before any journey, not only to meet legal requirements but also to help your tires find more traction on the road.
During wet weather, it is a good idea to slow down your speed considerably, as stopping distances will increase on wet surfaces. You may also want to keep an eye on traffic via the internet or radio, to help you plan the best route.
Snow
Depending on where you live, you might use snow chains or winter tires. These can help your vehicle move when there has been heavy snowfall. Like with rain, heavy snow and sleet can also affect your ability to see while driving. If the level of snowfall is too much, you may also want to consider postponing your journey until the weather clears up a little, if possible.
Sun
You might think that sunny, bright weather is optimum for driving. While this will give you a good road condition, it can cause other problems. Glare from the sun can limit your vision, which can be dangerous on busy or winding roads. If the sun follows a period of rain, you may also have difficulty seeing caused by the reflection of the sun on the water on the surface of the road. Using your sun visor can help somewhat.
Considering the weather when planning a journey is an important part of maintaining safety. Changing conditions can cause problems for yourself and other drivers. You are always better off driving slower and more cautiously than attempting to speed towards your destination. At times, cancelling your journey entirely is the best choice if going out is not essential.