When winter is mild, North Carolina sees a lot of rain and moisture, making it difficult for drivers on the road to practice safe driving techniques. The car accident lawyers at Nagle & Associates, P.A. encourage drivers to take extra precautions during the fall months in order to help them avoid car and truck accidents. Our attorneys hope to make driving in the rain and fog a less nerve-wracking and safer experience with these five proven safety tips.
5 Safety Tips For Driving On Wet Roads
1. Be Alert
Driving often comes as second nature to most people, and as a consequence, they may not take the time to think their actions through before performing them. From switching lanes to making the familiar left turn into their driveway, many drivers act out of habit. In less than ideal conditions, this kind of “non-thinking” can be dangerous. When driving in the rain, adjust your thinking and remain alert and focused on others around you.
2. Beware Of Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires get more traction on the layer of water than they do the road itself, causing the car to slide and swerve. If the driver is unfamiliar with the experience—or if they panic—it may cause them to overcorrect and cause an accident. If you feel your vehicle hydroplaning, slowly reduce your speed and steer straight until you feel yourself regain control.
3. Slow Down
Speed limits are designed for ideal road conditions. When driving in wet conditions, in extreme fog, or in a downpour, your vision is not only impaired—your ability to control your vehicle is greatly reduced as well. When it’s raining out, allow yourself plenty of time to get from point A to point B, drive at a speed you feel comfortable with, and always leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. Car accident lawyers see far too many cases that could have been avoided by slowing down.
4. Drive Defensively
Be aware of what others around you are doing, and always assume that they’ll do something dangerous. By anticipating a dangerous maneuver, you can better prepare yourself for it and think ahead about how to avoid it.
5. Avoid Distractions
Whether or not the weather is bad, always focus 100% of your attention on driving. Don’t text and drive, pull over if you need to input an address into your GPS, stop to read your directions before proceeding, and don’t allow your passengers to avert your attention from the road.
Additional Tips For Driving In The Fog
Driving in the fog poses a whole different set of problems for drivers in North Carolina. To prevent a car, truck or motorcycle accident from occurring, practice safe driving techniques specifically designed for foggy conditions. Those include driving slowly, especially in unfamiliar areas, using low-beam lights when visibility is restricted, and using the right-side pavement line as a guideline when you cannot see the center line. Furthermore, no matter how bad the fog gets, do not stop in the middle of the road. Look for a driveway or shoulder to pull off onto if absolutely necessary.
At Nagle & Associates, P.A., our car accident lawyers encourage you to practice safe and cautious driving techniques this fall and winter. If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a car or truck accident—or if you sustain injuries in a future accident—give our Winston-Salem law firm a call at (888) 841-7177 to schedule a consultation today.
