When extreme climate hits, the best way you drive can imply the distinction between arriving safely and getting caught in a harmful scenario. Comply with our extreme climate driving tips for upcoming fog, rain, snow, and ice.
- Buckle up. It’s the regulation. Everybody in your car ought to have their seat belt on always. Seat belts are particularly important throughout extreme climate and harmful circumstances. You probably have a pet within the automobile, contemplate buckling them in, too.
- Sluggish your roll. Whether it’s raining, icy, darkish, windy, or snowy, slowing down is all the time a wise concept. Transfer to the farther proper lanes if you wish to drive slower than the circulate of visitors and put your hazard lights on, if wanted.
- Improve your following distance. That goes for the automobile in entrance of you and those round you. Hold again additional when circumstances are slippery and keep away from driving straight subsequent to different automobiles to cut back the chance of collisions from hydroplaning or sliding. By no means use cruise management when circumstances aren’t dry and visual.
- Plan out your journey. Test the climate earlier than heading out. Take a look at an in depth radar of precipitation, temperatures, and the storm’s motion. Delay your drive, if doable, to go away in safer circumstances.
- Preserve a automobile emergency equipment. You by no means know whenever you’ll want water, meals, a flashlight, or a blanket. Stock your trunk with these emergency items. As well as, swap seasonal objects in your car for added security, like a small shovel, salt, an ice scraper, boots, and an umbrella.
- Cost your system. By no means depart the home with a telephone that’s on low battery. When you expertise a extreme climate driving emergency and should name for assist, you’ll want sufficient cost to do it.
- Don’t drive into flooded areas. In keeping with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “It solely takes 12 inches of dashing water to hold away most automobiles, and simply two ft of dashing water can carry away most vans and SUVs.” Don’t drive by means of flooded areas or actively dashing water. Flip round.
- Preserve a watch out for particles. Trash, roadside particles, and flying objects may very well be free throughout excessive winds or tornadic circumstances. Go searching you and much forward in entrance of you when driving to identify these hazards earlier than you attain them. Don’t let distractions pull your eyes off the road or your environment.
- Service car points. Burned-out headlights or taillights can put you at risk when there’s decreased visibility. Repair any issues with your vehicle right away. Guarantee your tires have sufficient tread for the upcoming season and top off fluid levels.
- Keep away from leaving your car after an accident. When you get into an accident or want to drag off the street, don’t step out close to oncoming visitors. If doable, keep in your car till emergency responders arrive.
Following these extreme climate driving ideas may help maintain you, your family members, and different drivers secure. For extra safety and peace of thoughts, discuss to a local, independent agent about our complete auto insurance policies.
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