The summer is finally here, and it brings with it a mass of warm and violent summer storms. Driving during a rain/hail/thunder storm can be just as dangerous as driving on snow and ice. What makes driving during a summer storm even more hazardous, however, is that many people don't quite fully realize the danger. Rain and hailstorms can bring hazards in the form of lowered visibility, increased distance required to stop a vehicle, the potential to hydroplane, and a host of other dangers.
The first tip for safe driving during a storm is, obviously, plan your trip ahead of time to avoid storms if at all possible. However, even the best of us will find ourselves from time to time driving down a highway during a torrential downpour. This is where these tips will become useful.
- Make sure your headlights are turned on
- Turn on your windshield wipers
- Slow down. Don't brake hard, instead take your foot off the gas and slowly reduce your speed. Braking too fast on wet roads can cause you to lose control of your vehicle
- Give yourself a greater distance to brake
- If necessary, pull your vehicle over to the side of the road or into a covered garage or underpass until the storm passes. If you pull over to the side of the road, make sure to activate your emergency flashers
- Keep an eye out for hazards on the road, including downed power lines, debris, puddles, and other vehicles.
- Finally, keep your radio tuned to local news or weather reports for news of the storm and emergency notifications.
Drive safe! Should anything happen, take care of yourself, get any medical attention necessary, and contact a licensed attorney in your area.
*This is attorney advertising, and is not intended to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Any advice given in the preceding statement is given as general advice and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice for any specific scenarios. For specific advice, or for answers to your questions, call Eckert & Smestad (312-789-4810) or call a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
