Hazardous Road Conditions That May Result in an Accident
As a driver, it is important always to be alert and aware of your surroundings as well as the conditions of the roadway. By doing so, you will be in a much better position to avoid a potential accident while traveling.
Heavy rain and wind and thick fog are three hazardous conditions Florida drivers may face on any given day. However, if you prepare, practice, stay calm and proceed with alertness and caution, you may find that those hazardous conditions may not be as bad as you initially thought.
Always be Prepared
Before you get into your vehicle, you should make sure that you consider the conditions and what potential risks you may be faced with. It is always good to have some water on hand, a first aid kit, and some other emergency essentials just in case you are faced with adverse conditions that were not favorable to your vehicle.
Use Common Sense
Always use common sense when driving in hazardous conditions. There may be low visibility due to heavy and thick fog or even fire, so if this is the case- slow down. If you are not able to clearly see in front of your vehicle more than a few feet, then it is not safe to drive.
If the conditions are too hazardous and you have very limited visibility, then you should immediately and safely pull off to the side of the road as far as you can and turn your hazards on to alert other drivers that you are stopped.
Remember, it is illegal to drive with your hazards on in Florida, so they should only be turned on when you are safely pulled off the road. Hazard lights in Florida are restricted to stopped vehicles only except when the car is being used in a funeral procession.
When it is raining, take your time, slow down to prevent your vehicle from hydroplaning, turn your headlights on, and maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you
Slippery Road Conditions
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle moves too fast in heavy rain conditi9ons. When the vehicle hydroplanes, the back tires are on a thin layer of water instead of having a firm grip on the road. When the tires are not in direct contact with the road, steering and braking become much more difficult.
Driving in Heavy Wind
While heavy wind may not seem like a very hazardous road condition, it actually does deserve some consideration and attention. When driving in heavy wind, you should always anticipate the chance of a heavy gust of wind, and you should be aware of surrounding vehicles, including large trucks and tractor trailers because these larger vehicles may have increased difficulty in heavy winds.
Also, always keep a strong grip on the wheel in case you do experience a gust of wind, so you can keep the vehicle in your lane and away from the other drivers.
