North Carolina is in the middle of hurricane season, and drivers in the Raleigh area are frequently facing dangerous driving conditions caused by these intense storms. There are certain techniques you can use when driving in a storm that will reduce the likelihood of a car accident. Make sure you keep the following tips in mind when driving on wet roads or stormy weather conditions:
- Drive slowly – Heavy storms often result a significant amount of standing water on the ground, creating ideal conditions for hydroplaning. This occurs when your tires lose traction and essentially “float” across the standing water. When you hydroplane, it becomes extremely difficult to control your vehicle and increases the chance of an accident. Keeping your speed down will help prevent hydroplaning.
- Be on the lookout for high winds – Hurricanes are typically accompanied by very strong winds which can get under your vehicle, making it challenging to operate the car. Make sure you always hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid being caught off guard by a sudden burst of wind.
- Don’t oversteer – A common mistake made by drivers during a storm is to oversteer when skidding or hydroplaning. This usually creates more problems than it solves. If you sense your vehicle skidding or hydroplaning, it’s best to slow down and ride it out.
- Maintain good tire tread – Your tires are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. However, when they become worn down, they no longer have the tread depth necessary to provide the traction you need on wet or muddy roads. Check your tire tread depth regularly and replace your tires if they appear worn down. This can be one of the most important things you can do to prevent a car accident during hurricane season.
- Use your headlights – Always drive with your headlights on during a storm. This will make your vehicle more visible to others. Make sure you use your low beams since high beams can blind other drivers and decrease your visibility during adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain or fog.
- Maintain a safe following distance – It’s a good idea to increase your following distance when driving in stormy weather. This will create a larger buffer between you and the vehicle in front of you, giving you more time to avoid an accident if something unexpected occurs.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. The attorneys at Wilson Law, P.A. have been fighting for the rights of injured victims for over 15 years, and we will work tirelessly to ensure the negligent driver is held accountable for your damages.
Please contact Wilson Law, P.A. using the form on this page or call (919) 800-0919 today to schedule your free car accident consultation. We serve clients in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and throughout North Carolina.