These driving tips are specifically for driving in bad weather. With so many large pile-ups in the news lately and with the extreme weather we seem to be having, it’s important to know how to drive in all sorts of weather conditions.
During the winter months, what is the number one piece of driving advice you hear on news channels? Usually, they say something politically correct, like, “when the weather gets bad, don’t drive!” Of course, down here in the real world people can’t simply stop driving during bad weather. We all have jobs to get to, groceries to buy, kids to haul to and from school, and a million other places to go. If we stopped driving during bad weather, we’d hardly go anywhere! That’s why I created this page. If you must drive in bad weather, follow these driving tips and you will be much safer.
Impact of Weather on Driving Conditions
Depending on your location, you may or may not experience the following types of bad weather:
- Fog
- Cloudiness
- Rain
- Thunderstorms
- Blizzards
- Heavy wind
- Ice
- Snow
- Hail
- Tornados
This list includes conditions of varying risks involved. But, all the same, you should always be prepared to prevent accidents from happening. Here are the common risks that you should be prepared to face when driving in bad weather:
Obstruction of vision due to poor light and/or debris. This is the most common adversary that drivers have to face during bad weather. It doesn’t matter what kind of weather it is, or how bad it gets, if you lose clear visibility of the road you’re driving in and your surroundings, you have to be extremely careful. If the situation worsens, consider pulling over at a safe place and let the worst come to pass. If pulling over is not an option, activate your low beam headlights and make sure to drive SLOW. Keep great distance from other vehicles too.
Losing vehicle control because of slippery roads. This is another scenario that drivers get involved in during heavy weather. It can be helped. Whether it’s snow or rain, bad weather will affect road conditions, most often than not, this can lead to low tire traction. The best way to avoid accidents here is to just simply drive SLOW and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. And in case you do lose control of your vehicle, don’t panic and just keep slowing your speed while keeping your tires aimed at where you are headed to go. It will be hard if you’re actually on the scene, but if you are being careful in the first place, any possible impact can be lessened and the danger you’ll have to face will be considerably low.
Types Of Poor Driving Conditions
If you must drive in bad weather, follow the driving tips provided in each article on this list (depending on the weather) and you will be much safer.
Driving In Snow
Driving in snow is serious business. Things can change in a big hurry during a snowstorm and can literally become deadly during a blizzard. Even when the storm is over, the slippery streets still present serious safety hazards and visibility issues. This article will go over all the defensive driving tips you need to know specific to driving in winter weather conditions. In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid a skid, different stopping techniques in an emergency, and what to do if you do end up in a skid. This potentially life-saving advice will help make you a safer and more defensive driver when you’re caught driving in snow.
Driving On Ice
Some of the most horrific accidents occur during icy driving conditions. This is because many times, the ice is invisible to the human eye. This type of ice is called “black ice” and despite the name, this ice is totally transparent. Driving on ice is nothing to play around with. If you can avoid driving on ice, do so at all costs. However, if you are caught unexpectedly in icy driving conditions or for some reason have no other choice, these tips are invaluable. Straight from a CDL driving instructor and former truck driver, you’ll learn the tricks of the professional driving trade.
Driving In Rain
While driving in rain may not seem all that dangerous, the unfortunate truth is that traffic fatalities increase during poor weather conditions. Not only does rain create a more slick surface, but it also decreases visibility. Wet roadways are typically the most dangerous right after a rain begins because the rain will mix with oil, gas, and other vehicle fluids on the roadway surface. This is especially true near intersections. While you might drive safely during rainy conditions, what about the drivers around you? With these defensive driving tips for rainy conditions, you’ll always be one step ahead and ready to avoid dangers that present themselves.
Driving At Night
Driving during the daylight hours can be dangerous, but driving at night is the most dangerous time to drive. While there are fewer vehicles on the road, visibility is greatly reduced and the number of intoxicated or fatigued drivers on the roadways increases almost 10 fold. Sure, you may be a safe driver, even at night, but you can’t control the drivers around you. That’s why it is crucially important to take extra precautions and always plan for the unexpected. Drunk drivers and fatigued drivers are very unpredictable. With these safe driving tips for driving at night, you’ll be as prepared as you can be for dealing with drunks, fatigued drivers, and the low visibility during nighttime conditions.
Driving In Fog
There’s no question about it – driving in fog is terrifying! Very few people actually choose to drive in foggy conditions and that’s because the extreme dangers are obvious. Every year, news reports of massive pile-up crashes involving injuries and fatalities are on the news. Until self-driving cars become a reality, these types of large, multi-vehicle accidents in foggy conditions will not subside. Without adequate visibility, even the most skilled drivers in the world are in extreme danger. While we can’t give you any secrets on how to look through fog, we can tell you what to do when you’re unexpectedly caught in foggy conditions. Stay calm, relax, and follow this simple advice.
Driving Safely In High Winds
No matter where you live or where you might be traveling, you could suddenly find yourself in a high wind scenario. Not knowing what to do when the wind blows hard can leave you incredibly vulnerable on the road, possibly leading to serious damage to your car and even personal injuries that can stay with you the rest of your life. Armed with the following information, you will at least know what to do in the situation, lessening the chances that something serious will happen on your journey.
Wet Weather Driving Tips
Driving in snow is serious business. Things can change in a big hurry during a snowstorm and can literally become deadly during a blizzard. Even when the storm is over, the slippery streets still present serious safety hazards and visibility issues. This article will go over all the defensive driving tips you need to know specific to driving in winter weather conditions. In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid a skid, different stopping techniques in an emergency, and what to do if you do end up in a skid. This potentially life-saving advice will help make you a safer and more defensive driver when you’re caught driving in snow.
Winter Maintenance Tips For Your Vehicle
Winter driving is challenging, and winter weather is hard on your car. Preparing your vehicle ahead of time and maintaining it properly during the winter months can make it last longer and prevent costly breakdowns. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, you should start thinking about winter weather long before the first snowflakes start to fall. The following tips can help you prepare for the worst that winter has to offer. If you get ice and snow only occasionally, you may be able to make it through the winter with your regular all-season tires, but if you are expecting frequent snowstorms, putting snow tires on your car makes a lot of sense.
No matter how many driving tips you read and no matter how many classes you take, sometimes driving in bad weather is impossible to do safely. The best way to keep yourself and those around you the safest is to know your limits and know when to call it quits. If you have to stop driving, life will go on. You might be late or miss something you really want to be at, but life will still continue. The same can’t be said if you push yourself beyond your comfort zone. It may be the last thing you ever do. Be smart and know when to quit.