Drivers are put at risk of injury all the time. Sometimes, the weather is a major factor in the safety of the roads, and this is particularly true when there is a downpour.
A downpour is bad for a few reasons. First, when rain begins to fall, it stirs up oil and causes the roads to become slick. The first few minutes of a spring or summer rain shower can quickly cause drivers to slide or skid. Often, this leads to auto crashes.
Another issue with rain is that it can make it hard to see in front of you. Sudden rain may fog up your windows or come down so hard that there isn’t much visibility.
Fortunately, you can take steps to stay safe when rain comes down. Here are a few tips to help.
- If you can’t see, it’s time to pull over
One of the first tips is to know when you’re in danger and to take action to mitigate it. If the rain is coming down so hard and fast that you can’t see in front of you, put your hazard lights on and begin to move to the side of the road.
If you can’t pull over, slow down until you can drive safely in the conditions.
- As rain falls, watch out for oil slicks
Another tip is to watch out for oil on the roads. You may notice some rainbow-like coloration on the ground in front of you. If you start to see that, realize that the roads may be slicker than usual. Give yourself more time to maneuver, slow and stop.
- Know your limits
Everyone has a different comfort level with driving in poor weather conditions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or are concerned about being able to drive safely, know when it’s time to pull over, find an exit or stop. When the rain causes dangerous conditions, turn on your hazard lights so other drivers know that the area is dangerous and can take steps to go around you or slow down.
These are a few tips to help you the next time it rains. You can get to your destination safely if you’re cautious in these conditions.
