Weekend Safety Tips, Part 4: Be Careful When Driving in the Rain
Posted June 19th, 2015 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Auto Accidents.
It seems like the rain is never going to end, doesn’t it? According to New Jersey’s forecast, the weekend will start off swell but slowly become rainy and miserable on Father’s Day. If you’re heading out to see your dad this weekend, be careful driving in the rain. It may not be as treacherous as driving through snow or ice, but driving in the rain can still be risky.
According to autoinsurance.org, more than 1.5 million weather-related car accidents happen annually, causing 7,400 fatalities each year. Why such a high number? A lot has to do with our reaction to the weather. Although we’ve all been taught to take our time and driving carefully in the inclement weather, we ignore these facts and just drive as we normally do. But bad weather means bad road conditions — you could easily hydroplane while driving fast, or not see road hazards until you’re right on top of them.
In an ongoing effort to keep our clients informed, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone would like to offer some summertime safety tips that will keep you and your loved ones safe as well as accident free this summer:
- If you know it’s going to be stormy outside, try to leave home early, giving you enough time to reach your destination. That way you won’t have to hurry.
- Don’t use the cruise control on wet roads. Surprisingly, cruise control can cause you to lose control. For instead, if your car starts to hydroplane, your car will start to speed up.
- If you begin to hydroplane, remain calm, slowly take your foot off the accelerator, and try to get control of the car again.
- Don’t forget to turn on your headlights. Even if you don’t think you may need them, headlights will make it easier for other drivers to see you on the road.
- And whatever you do, don’t speed. Even if you think the roads are fine to drive at regular speeds, you may be surprised.
If you get into an auto accident and the cause is bad weather, we can help. Contact personal injury lawyer Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.
