Automobile Safety

Weather Conditions

Rain

Pavement becomes very slick when it first begins to rain, especially as the water mixes with the various oils and other substances collected on the road's surface. Until enough rain pours to dilute this mixture, the street remains slippery. Depending on the severity of rainfall, it could take hours before everything washes away.

As a rule of thumb, a driver should slow down, leave a greater distance in between them and the vehicle they're following, and allow themselves more time to brake during or after it rains.

Heavy rain that causes water to pool along the road may force an automobile to hydroplane. The higher the rate of speed a car is traveling through water deposits, the greater the odds of the vehicle hydroplaning. When you roll through water fast enough, your tires lose contact with the road, and all traction is lost. The best way to escape hydroplaning is to take your foot off the accelerator. Do not attempt to brake, or you may lose control.

Fog

Drivers must overcome the lack of visibility while navigating through fog, and the simplest way to accomplish this is to reduce their speed. The driver should be able to see six car lengths in front of their vehicle, but if visibility is any less, it is wise to go even slower. Fog can be quite unpredictable, so speed is often at the discretion of the driver.

Drivers should always travel in foggy conditions using their low beam headlights. Besides illuminating the road up ahead, they cut through the fog to warn others of your presence. Contrary to what you may think, it is a bad idea to use high beams in the fog because water particles have a tendency to reflect the brighter light back at the driver. In a sense, the driver is blinding themselves if they turn on their brights.

Even though fog is not classified as precipitation, it still causes moisture to accumulate on your windshield similar to a misty rain. Making use of your windshield wipers will help improve your view. If your line of sight is so bad that moving is no longer safe, the driver should pull off to the shoulder or a rest stop if one becomes available.

Snow

Different kinds of snow affect the level of concern that a driver should have for the conditions. For example, powdery snow is whisked off of the road's surface by the wind. But, if there is enough accumulation, it can get quite slippery. Slushy snow is more cause for concern because it can really impact traction. If it gets packed together the temperature is cold enough, this type of snow may even turn into ice.

When starting from a complete stop on a snow-covered road, the driver should accelerate gradually without any sudden increases in speed. If the vehicle begins to slip or fishtail, let up on the gas and try again. Steering and braking should be handled with caution so as to avoid spinouts. Under extreme circumstances, chains may help your tires grip the road.

Decreasing speed and lengthening your following distance will improve visibility and maneuvering. Snowfall can cause vision problems, while wind will compound them. Besides worsened visibility, snow drifts formed by wind can hide important road signs, markings, and exit ramps. As with fog, low beams can help you see and others see you. It is unwise to turn on high beams during heavy snowfall because the flakes will reflect light back at you.

A unique hazard that may also be brought on by snow is referred to as "snow hypnosis," a mesmerizing effect that stems from a driver staring at the blankets of snow falling in front of them. This can be even more dangerous in the dark and cause an auto accident.

Ice

Icy road surfaces are probably the most treacherous of all road conditions. In colder weather, water or snow may turn to ice, so drivers always need to be prepared for changes.

Black ice is the worst icy condition one can encounter because it is practically invisible. Black ice appears when there is a significant drop in temperature, and standing water freezes into a uniform, transparent, and slippery surface. Black ice is likely to occur if spray being kicked up from other automobiles suddenly disappears because it has turned to ice.

In freezing temperatures, bridges and overpasses have the potential to be more dangerous than other "grounded" roadways because they attract ice first. This is due to the fact that air circulates on all sides of the bridge or overpass, causing a quicker reduction in temperature.

Drivers must be very conscious of braking while traveling on icy roads; braking distance may need to be increased four to ten times as much as dry roads require. Your vehicle owner's manual should explain the proper technique for braking in your car because it varies depending upon what type of braking system it contains.

Sun glare

The sun's glare can affect a driver's vision to the extent that it may blind them for seconds at a time. The most severe glare usually happens within 90 minutes after sunrise or prior to sunset. This time of the day, the angle of the sun is low enough that it is at the driver's eyelevel. Glare from the sun can also happen when snow or ice reflects its light. Your best defense against sun glare is wearing sunglasses and/or using the visor above your windshield.