Driving in the Rain

This might come as a surprise, but snow and ice are not the most hazardous driving conditions — it turns out that rain causes more fatal accidents than wintery weather in a majority of states. While certain states don’t see much snow, rain still causes more accidents in some places that do experience a lot of snow, like Alaska. But snow is still a bigger hazard than rain in several western and midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Montana and Utah.

Here in Florida, rain is the bigger problem.

Problems with Driving in the Rain

There are numerous reasons driving in the rain can be dangerous — and even deadly. Here are common impacts that rain can have on roads, traffic and drivers, according to the Federal Highway Administration:

• Rain reduces visibility on the roads, making it more difficult for drivers to see one another.
• Standing water and flooding issues caused by rain can obstruct lanes and make it impossible for cars to travel on certain parts of the road.
• Rain reduces the speed and flow of traffic.
• A lot of water on the road reduces traction and cars run the risk of hydroplaning.
• Some people don’t drive safely in the rain — they don’t reduce their speed to account for the unsafe conditions and they don’t maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

Tips for Driving Safely in the Rain

Just because rain increases your risk of being in an accident doesn’t mean that you have to be involved in one. Take the following precautions when you’re driving in rainy weather:

• Maintain your vehicle. Always make sure everything is working properly, including your windshield wipers and headlights.
• Once you know that your windshield wipers and headlights are working properly, turn them on. Florida requires drivers to turn on their headlights in rainy weather.
• It’s tempting to pull over on the side of the road in heavy rain, but it’s much safer to get off the road completely. Take refuge at rest stop, gas station or other location with a parking lot.
• Reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Try to avoid standing water. Cars can hydroplane in even a few inches of water, which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If your car skids, don’t slam on the brakes. Focus instead on steering your car in a safe direction.
• Minimize distractions. For example, now is not the time to play with the radio or make a phone call.
• Don’t try to drive if low-visibility conditions. If you can’t see the car in front of you, then you probably can’t be seen either. Safely exit the roadway and wait for the rain to slow down.
  

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one is injured in a bad-weather car accident, contact a Miami personal injury attorney at The Pendas Law Firm today for a free consultation. We will help you recover the compensation that you deserve, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Orlando, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa, Daytona Beach and Bradenton areas.

Resources:

usatoday.com/story/weather/2015/05/14/deadly-driving-hazards/27300165/

ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/q1_roadimpact.htm