How to Drive Safely in Inclement Weather
More than five million auto accidents occur in the United States each year. Of these crashes, about 22 percent are caused by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, it can be beneficial for drivers to know how to stay safe while traveling in rainy, snowy or foggy conditions. Here are some tips on how to drive safely in inclement weather. Contact a Philadelphia accident attorney if you were involved in an auto accident.Check Your Vehicle Every Week
It's easy to neglect important vehicle maintenance duties. That's why you may want to create some kind of reminder system. About once a week, you should check your tires, windshield wipers and brakes for any signs of wear and tear. Tires that don't have enough tread or aren't properly inflated may not grip the road properly. If brakes are squeaky, they may need to be replaced. Failing to do so could result in an inability to stop quickly on wet roads. If your windshield wipers are faulty or too old, they could either scratch the windshield itself or cause streaks. Insufficient wiper fluid will make it difficult to clear debris off your windshield. This could seriously affect visibility when inclement weather arrives. Ideally, you will want to periodically inflate your tires, change your wiper blades or engage in other maintenance to reduce your odds of getting into a crash.Drive with Your Headlights On
To increase your visibility on the road, be sure to drive with your headlights on, even during the day. However, you should not always use high beams. Unfortunately, these lights will hurt your ability to see when there is heavy snow, rain or fog. This is because the light will reflect off of the moisture.Refrain from Braking Too Quickly
When driving in rainy or snowy conditions, your tires may not make solid contact with the ground. Therefore, it is possible that braking too quickly will result in the vehicle skidding or sliding off of the road. To reduce your chances of having to brake suddenly, reduce your speed and increase your following distance. It may also be a good idea to plan out your route ahead of time so that you know what lane you'll need to be in on a major highway.
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