As colder seasons approach and we’re on the roads more often for the holidays, we must be aware of the potential dangers of travel and rough weather conditions. We can learn how to stay safe during these colder months by knowing these impacts on drivers and how to place the right safety measures.
Types of Weather Conditions and Their Effects
Many different kinds of weather and factors can affect driving conditions. Most obvious these include:
Rain
In the rainy months, this can affect traction and visibility. With all the slippier roads it may be harder to control your vehicle, and this is why it is so important to ensure your vehicle is in tip-top shape and you are alert at all times.
Snow and Ice
This may be more of a concern in certain states than others, but snow and ice are major weather conditions that can affect our roads. According to the Federal Highway Administration, each year, about 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on snowy or icy roads. This has resulted in over 1,300 deaths and more than 116,800 injuries. Snowy roads can impact many of your abilities as a driver, such as stopping and visibility. Some recommendations to prepare for weather like this are emergency kits and winter tires or chains.
Fog
In foggy conditions this can impair certain abilities for most drivers, that being a major reduction in visibility. There are a couple of ways to help take precautions when driving through conditions where it may be harder to see. Doing the following may help prevent any accidents when driving in foggy weather:
- Driving Slowly: By driving slowly you can ensure you don’t crash into anybody in front of you when going through thick fog
- Low Beams Turned On: Turning on low beams will signal to others that you are near. If you have fog lights, those would be ideal to use.
- Leave Plenty of Space: Giving other drivers enough space can ensure sufficient reaction time to sudden stops or changes in traffic.
- Put On Your Hazard Lights: Putting your hazards on is another measure that can be taken to let others know that you are moving slowly or being cautious in low visibility settings. Also, if it is too unsafe to drive, this can signal to others that you are stopped or pulling off to the side in these rough conditions.
Legal and Policy Considerations
Traffic Laws and Regulations
When it comes to driving in adverse weather conditions, sometimes others don’t take the safety precautions and deem them necessary to set in place. This can cause reckless driving behavior which can lead to an increase in accidents and injuries to other individuals. Being aware of others’ reckless driving in difficult weather conditions can help save you from unlikely and unforeseeable events.
Advocacy for Improved Safety Measures
To promote change within your communities, advocating for better road conditions and through public awareness campaigns can help all those around us be safer on the roads. If you or someone you know is involved in a car accident and suffers injuries, it is important to seek a lawyer to help you through the legal process. By contacting a lawyer, like the New Haven motor vehicle accident attorneys at LTKE Law, they can help accident victims with personal injury claims and help you return to your everyday life.
Conclusion
Weather conditions can truly impact traffic conditions and the safety of those on the roads. Ensuring we understand different kinds of rough weather conditions encountered in these colder months, knowing how to take the right safety precautions, and advocating for better road conditions, will bring us closer to safer driving habits in these upcoming and colder seasons.