There’s nothing more important than keeping you, your passengers, and others safe when behind the wheel.
And part of being safe is knowing how to drive through the various road conditions.
This is why, here, we’re going to give you safe driving tips for common Georgia road conditions.
We’ll look at how to keep safe when:
- Driving in thick fog
- Driving during winter
- Driving on curvy roads
- Leaving the roadway
- Driving through traffic
So without further ado, let’s dive straight in!
Safety Tips for Driving in Georgia Road Conditions
Lucky drivers always get to experience clear roads on a bright sunny day. Realistically, though, it won’t always be like that.
You have to be ready to face several scenarios. Some of these may be weather conditions, while others may be road conditions.
Don’t worry — we’ll go through these individually so you know what to do.
Here we go!
Safe Driving Tips in Fog
Does driving become more challenging when there’s fog? The answer is a resounding YES!
It might seem harmless at first, but it creates a dangerous driving condition. For one thing, it can reduce visibility significantly. So, yes, you can drive through it, but you never know if there are other hazards on the road.
Fog also makes it difficult to determine distances. What looks like a car several meters away is actually just a few feet ahead. This makes for a possible collision.
So what do you do when it suddenly becomes foggy?
First, determine whether you’re near a place where you can pull over for a while. The best thing to do is get off the road.
However, sometimes, that isn’t possible. In these situations, reduce your speed.
The moment you notice headlights or tail lights, slow down even more. These tell you that there are other vehicles on the road with you.
Knowing that there are other cars is one thing. But, as we mentioned, accurately judging the distance between you and them is another thing.
So be safe, go slowly.
Next, dim your lights. It might seem counterintuitive since you already have low visibility. However, bright lights create a glare in heavy fog. Using regular headlights might allow you to see things better.
Lastly, turn on your fog lights. If you live in an area where it regularly fogs, it’s a good idea to install fog lights in your vehicle.
Safe Driving Tips During Winter
Another weather condition that increases driving risks is winter.
MoneyGeek’s guide on winter driving found that 1,300 deaths and another 100,000 injuries occur on snowy or icy roads annually.
So if you are driving during winter, then here are the safety tips you should always keep in mind.
Make sure your car is in excellent condition to take out in winter weather.
Here’s a list of what to do:
- Check your battery and cooling systems
- Ensure you fill your windshield washer reservoir
- Check your defrosters and windshield wipers to ensure they’re working
- Inspect your tires and see if they can provide adequate traction
- Bring your car to the shop regularly, even if it’s simply for a check-up
- Be familiar with your vehicle, so you can immediately notice something out of the ordinary
If you can’t avoid driving in heavy snow, it’s best to switch to snow tires. These will give great traction on the road.
Make sure you have a clear view of the road. Do this by removing snow and ice from your windows and windshield before pulling out of your driveway.
When you drive, try to get a feel of the road if you can. Step on the brake gently and turn the wheel slightly to see how your car responds. Avoid sudden movements and slowly reduce your speed if you need to stop or make a turn.
Keep more space between you and other vehicles than usual.
And keep an eye out for shifting road conditions or potential hazards.
Winter makes reacting more challenging, but you can do so safely if time (and distance) is on your side.
Safe Driving Tips in Curvy Roads
Driving on curvy roads can be tricky. You may lose control of your vehicle if you’re not careful.
Skidding is more common when you’re rounding a curve. Your tires continue forward, but your car’s body resists due to inertia.
Because of this, it’s important to know the safety driving tips for this road condition.
One of the best strategies for working curved roads is, you know it, to slow down. You’re more likely to retain control of your car.
A slower speed helps when the sun’s out, but it’s a MUST if the road is slick from rain or snow.
Now, if you spot a miles-per-hour sign, it typically means there’s a sharp curve ahead.
It’s best to comply with the lowered speed limit before entering the curved section. You can still correct the situation if you catch on a bit too late.
However, stepping on the brakes isn’t the best move if you realize you’re going too fast.
Why? Because you just might end up skidding out of control. Instead, ease your foot off the accelerator while carefully applying the brake. Ensure you keep steering in the lane you’re using while doing this.
Safe Driving Tips While Leaving the Roadway
Leaving the roadway leaves you driving over uneven terrain. Most drivers find it challenging to maneuver their vehicles safely because you encounter obstacles you usually wouldn’t if you were on the road.
Ideally, do everything you can to avoid leaving the roadway. You can do this by watching road conditions and keeping within the speed limit.
You’ll also benefit from practicing defensive driving and being extremely aware of what other drivers on the road are doing.
That said, if you do leave the roadway, do not panic. You’re more likely to lose control and get into an accident.
Don’t try to jerk your vehicle back to the roadway. It may cause more harm than good. If you do, you’re more likely to collide with an approaching vehicle, lose control, flip over, skid, or go into other lanes of traffic.
Prepare yourself for sudden shocks because of the terrain — ensure you grip the steering wheel tightly. Take your foot off the accelerator, so you start losing speed.
You can start using your brakes but do so carefully. When you’ve slowed down enough, find a section where you can safely reenter the roadway. Check the traffic — make a complete stop if you have to — and then merge into traffic.
Safe Driving Tips During Traffic
Congestion and highway density often contribute to accidents. So it’s best to practice safe driving behaviors during these road conditions.
Following the car in front of you too closely is a bad idea. The worst possible thing that could happen is you can’t stop in time to avoid them if they suddenly brake.
Always apply the three-second rule — choose a reference point and start counting once the car in front of you passes it.
Count using “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.” You’re too close if you pass the same point before you finish.
Practice defensive driving and stay focused. Avoid weaving from lane to lane and ensure your attention is on the road.
The Wrap Up
So that was your safe driving tips in different Georgia road conditions.
The overall rule is to slow down and don’t panic. These safety tips can be applied to almost all road conditions you might encounter.
Remember to keep our safety tips in mind whenever you’re driving through thick fog, in the winter, on curvy roads, while leaving a roadway, and in traffic.
Take care on the road and keep safe!