Safer Driving in Severe Weather

 Posted on November 19, 2014 in Personal Injury

While severe weather can happen in varying degrees at any time of the year, the fall and winter months can prove particularly treacherous for drivers. Various conditions, including heavy rain, strong wind, snow, sleet, or ice can be present on the roadways and can make driving dangerous for those traveling. When weather is severe enough, or can be predicted far enough in advance, many individuals will choose to forgo their travel plans in favor of staying safe at home. However, drivers do not always have this luxury. Sometimes, traveling is a necessity. Other times, severe weather may hit without warning and drivers can be caught in the middle of a storm through no fault of their own. These dangerous conditions can quickly lead to a car accident, capable of causing injury, damage, and other tragic consequences.

Safety Tips

A news article recently published online by a local news outlet promoted safety tips for driving in severe weather, presumably in an effort to reduce the number of car accidents that occur due to weather-related factors. As stated in the article, it is important for drivers to realize that weather conditions can dramatically change rather quickly, leaving drivers to navigate the roadways in dangerous circumstances. However, the good news is that drivers can regain some control over being caught in inclement weather by acting in advance to know safety procedures and proper precautions to follow if such a scenario does present itself.

First and foremost, one of the top safety tips is to reduce speed. The worse the weather and corresponding road conditions, the slower drivers should move in order to safely navigate the change in road conditions. Being cautious and aware of other drivers are also basic tenants of traffic safety that every driver should be aware of, but be particularly vigilant about practicing in bad weather.

Other safety measures include ensuring the vehicle is in proper working order and its features are being used wisely. It is a good idea to turn headlights on low beam when driving in dangerous weather, even if it is daytime. Also, use emergency flashing lights during heavy rain and strong wind to increase visibility to other drivers. In addition, drivers should always make sure their windshield wipers are working in case of heavy rain. Keeping up on tire maintenance is also important, as well-kept tire treads go a long way in enabling a driver to safely maintain control of his or her vehicle.

Drivers should always keep in mind that in some situations, it may be safer to pull off of the road and seek shelter than attempt to continue traveling.

Accident Injury Attorney

Driving conditions can significantly impact driver safety. However, so can driver inattentiveness. If you or someone you know was injured in an accident due to someone else's negligence, do not hesitate to reach out to a personal injury attorney who can advise you if you have legal rights that require protection. The team of Illinois accident attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices has successfully represented clients in many different types of personal injury cases. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your matter. We have serve clients in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Kendall and Will County, and have multiple office locations available for our clients' convenience.