There’s an old saying in Florida: If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. And even though the sun comes out and the rain stops falling, the roads are still slick. We are well-accustomed to being bombarded with heavy rains, navigating our cars through hidden puddles and trying to see in between our windshield wipers. Unfortunately, the inclement weather has become one of the most common causes of auto accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, rain contributes on average to about 595,900 auto accidents a year, which ends up becoming approximately 11% of all accidents.
The rain causes people to drive differently, typically falling into two categories of drivers: the excessively timid drivers and the reckless drivers. The timid drivers can overestimate the danger of the rain, and drive unreasonably slow, which backs up traffic and causes rear-end accidents. The reckless drivers ignore the consequences of bad weather and go the full speed limit or greater when visibility is low.
These are some simple tips to help navigate the rainy season:
Avoid Cruise Control. While cruising, most drivers will take their foot off the break, which causes a delay in reaction time. Also, if your car loses traction, cruise control will keep your car accelerating.
Slow down and leave room between vehicles. With as little as 1/12 of an inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber on the road. To reduce chances of hydroplaning, slow down and avoid hard breaking or sharp turns. Always keep ample stopping distance by staying a few car lengths behind the car in front of you.
I hope everyone is enjoying their spring, but remember to be safe.
