Stay Safe on the Road with these Bad Weather Driving Guidelines
Posted by admin at 16 July 2019, at 14 : 27 PM
Driving in dangerous conditions can be perilous to say the least. That’s why so many people avoid doing it as much as possible. If you find yourself in a situation where you absolutely need to drive when the conditions are less than ideal, here are some guidelines you need to follow.
Always Maintain your Speed
The slower you drive, the more control you have over your vehicle. If you drive at high speed, then you’ll find it much harder to brake and you also increase the chances of your car hydroplaning. If you do happen to lose control of your car, try and release the brake pedal until you are able to gain traction again. When you have done this, apply the brake lightly to ensure that you always maintain full contact with the road.
Buy some All-Season Tires
Equipping your car with the right tyres will increase the amount of traction you have when driving in difficult conditions. If you want to gain complete control, don’t mix and match tyres, and always choose ones that have the same size, construction or tread. This can be expensive because it can mean replacing all four of your tyres at once, but it is well worth it when your safety is at risk.
Turn on your Low-Beams
Low beams will help you to see road hazards much more clearly. Fog is one of the most dangerous driving conditions that you will face because it reduces your visibility on the road and you may not even be able to anticipate what’s around the corner. If you want to help yourself here, then you need to turn on your low-beam headlights and you also need to drastically reduce your speed. If the fog is so thick that your visibility is completely impaired, pull over and stay off the road until it clears.
Don’t Tailgate
A lot of people make the mistake of tailgating. They follow the car in front of them too closely and this can pose as a serious hazard, especially when you are driving in poor conditions. You need to leave at least a car’s length in-between you and the car in front. Difficult weather conditions can make it even harder for you to break, which can increase the likelihood of having a crash.
Avoid Lane Changes
You should only ever switch lanes when 100% necessary. If you switch lanes, this can cause you to lose control over your vehicle or you may even find that someone else crashes into you. By staying in the same lane, you can maintain your speed much more efficiently and you also don’t run the risk of your car skidding on ice or sleet. This tip also applies if you are driving in fog, or even in rain, as both will impair your visibility and it will also make it much harder for you to know if there are other cars around you. Remember that if you can’t see them, they probably can’t see you either.