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People who have lived in California for their entire lives might not be used to driving in certain kinds of weather conditions, like deep snow, floods, and torrential rainfall. Since these weather phenomena have happened more frequently in recent years, it could be useful to learn how to drive safely in these weather situations to get to your destinations without getting into an accident.
This blog offers six tips for driving safely in unfamiliar California weather that you could use when driving in the Golden State or when traveling to other locations. Sometimes, despite best efforts, people find themselves in crashes. If you get injured in a collision that was someone else’s fault, a Los Angeles car accident attorney could help you pursue a claim for financial compensation.
1. Wait Until the Storm Passes
When severe weather hits, it is usually best to wait out the storm, if possible. Of course, you do not want to leave the kids waiting at the bus stop, but in many other situations, delaying your departure for a short while can spare you from getting into a weather-related accident.
2. Keep Your Vehicle Storm-Ready
Between wildfires, atmospheric rivers, and jaw-dropping levels of snow, extreme weather conditions could happen in California at any time of year. There is not just one season, like winter, to plan around. You will want to make sure, year-round, that your tire tread is good, your wiper blades and windshield defrosters work, and that your headlights and taillights are in working order.
Often overlooked, another safety issue is the gas or power level. You do not want to run out of gas or electrical charge when out in adverse weather conditions, so keep a full tank of gas or your vehicle fully charged.
3. Use Headlights Whenever You Need to Use Your Windshield Wipers
This caution is more for other drivers to be able to see you than for you to see where you are going. Whenever you need to use your windshield wipers, you should also turn on your headlights. Visibility can be impaired by poor weather conditions.
4. Slow Down
Running late is no excuse for driving too fast for the conditions in severe weather. Getting into an accident will make you even later, so cut your losses and drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions. Remember that you could get ticketed for speeding when you are driving at or under the speed limit if the road or weather conditions require a slower speed for safe travel.
It can take longer to slow down or stop on wet or slushy roads. You might not be able to see as far down the road, so driving slower will give you more time to stop when you need to do so.
5. Allow More Space Between Vehicles
You should never tailgate when driving in unfamiliar weather in California. Stay further back behind vehicles to avoid potential accidents.
6. Never Drive into Standing Water
Whether it is a puddle on the highway or standing water on streets, driving into water could do much more harm than you might think. Vehicles can go airborne if they hydroplane from hitting a puddle at high speed. Also, you have no idea how deep or fact-moving the water is if you drive into standing water. Many people drown because they drove into standing water and got swept away. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney could go after the financial compensation you deserve for your wounds and other losses. You can get started today by reaching out to our office for a free consultation.