It’s common knowledge that the vast majority of road accidents happen when the weather is bad. From poor visibility to slippery roads, there’s so much that can impact driving and cause a crash.
For this reason, many people fear driving when it’s storming out. Sometimes, however, it’s unavoidable — there’s somewhere you need to be, or it’s an emergency.
It’s not always possible to stay home when that’s exactly what you want to do.
Don’t let the storm spook you. Follow these tips on how to drive in a storm, and you’ll keep yourself and any loved ones riding with you safe.
1. Take It Slow
The most important thing you can do when it comes to driving safety in a storm is to take it slow.
There are many reasons for this. Visibility is likely to be reduced, and other drivers may be struggling with the weather too.
Keep the speed slow and don’t rush, or you could end up causing a collision.
2. Anticipate Longer Brake Times
It takes much longer to brake when it’s wet. If you’re trying to drive in a storm, make sure you brake in plenty of time.
If it’s a winter storm and the road is slippery with snow or nice, your brake times will be even longer. This post has more tips for how to drive in the snow.
3. Hold the Steering Wheel Firmly
Storms come with high winds which could take you off guard, especially when the road is wide and open.
If there’s a danger of strong wind that could rock the car or take you off-guard, make sure your hands are firmly on the steering wheel and don’t get distracted. That way, you’ll keep control of the car.
4. Be Careful of Other Cars
Even if you’re confident about your own driving skills in less-than-ideal weather, others might not have the same ability.
Be aware that others may be distracted by the weather. Never follow too closely behind someone in case they use their brakes suddenly, and give everyone as wide a berth as possible.
5. Pull Over if You Need To
The most essential thing to know about driving in a storm is that you should pull over if it gets too much.
Even if you give driving a good go, there’s only so much anyone can take when the weather is terrible. If it starts to get too much, or you feel unsafe, it’s time to pull over and wait for the conditions to pass.
It’s Important to Know How to Drive in a Storm, and When to Pull Over
It’s important to know how to drive in a storm because a time may come when it’s unavoidable. An unexpected storm may start while you’re driving, or there may be an emergency that requires you to power through.
Bear these tips in mind and prioritize the safety of you and your passengers above all else.
For more driving and car tips, check out the rest of our site.