The weather has a significant impact on a person’s ability to drive safely. Based on the latest numbers, over 5.9 million car crashes happen every year, with 21% of these crashes taking place during adverse weather conditions (i.e. rain, snow, sleet, fog, etc.).
For Lincoln car dealers around Covington, LA, this means it’s important to practice safety no matter how much of an experienced driver you are. If ever you find yourself driving under bad weather conditions, remember these few safety tips.
Learn to plan ahead
You should postpone driving if the weather does not improve. But if you can’t avoid it, you need to prepare a few things before getting behind the wheel. Bring your toolkit just in case your car breaks down and you have trouble getting help. In fact, you should have this in the car regardless of whether the weather is bad. As the saying goes, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Check the tank and make sure you have enough gas to make it to your destination and back. A basic emergency kit–jumper cables, flares, flash lights, first aid kit, and some snacks–also comes in handy in this situation.
Anticipate heavy traffic as motorists tend to drive more slowly on a wet road to avoid accidents. Turn on your radio and tune in to your local weather station for updates.
Drive below or within the speed limits
Many weather-related car accidents occur because of a slick road or wet pavement. Even with the right set of tires, you can still lose control of the wheel when you’re driving on a slippery road. Lincoln dealerships near Covington, LA always recommend driving slowly during bad weather to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. This way, you can have ample time to step on the brakes when needed.
Make use of your headlights
The general rule in a low-visibility situation is to turn on the headlights. Not only do headlights help you see the road ahead, but it also helps other drivers see you coming. Should there be fog, use low-beam headlights (or fog lights, if you have them) as these cut through the fog better than high beam white lights. Also, don’t forget to drive slowly. Even with your headlights on, you can still hit an oncoming vehicle if you are driving too fast.
Know when to pull over
If the situation worsens and you think it’s no longer safe to continue driving, don’t hesitate to pull over. Your safety should always come first. However, look for a safe spot to park your car to avoid putting yourself and other motorists in danger. Make sure to put on the hazard lights to let other drivers see you. Then, stay in your car until the bad weather passes. It’s much safer to stay in your vehicle than to brave the rain to look for another place to wait out the weather.
It pays to be prepared for the worst driving conditions during bad weather. If you want more tips on how to drive under adverse weather conditions, check out Baldwin Lincoln car dealer in the New Orleans, LA area.
