Driving In Severe Weather 101

At some point in our lives, no matter where we live, we will be forced to drive in some type of adverse weather condition – whether it be snow, rain, heavy wind, or another. 

While our driver’s ed classes go over handling these conditions briefly with us, there’s no substitute for experience, and the information we get just isn’t enough for some of us to be confident and successful driving in conditions we have no experience with. 

Because of this, we’ve taken this opportunity to go over a few tips and pointers for driving successfully in certain poor weather conditions to help you get to your destination in one piece, no matter the circumstance.

Preparation

First things first, you should always make sure your vehicle is prepared for anything and everything that could happen while you’re out on the road. 

Reliable transportation is important always, but it’s especially important during the times of the year most known for adverse weather conditions, so it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in its best operating condition. 

Be sure to keep a close eye out and check up on your:

  • Ignition system;
  • Belts;
  • Fuel system;
  • Fluid levels, including oil, freon, etc.;
  • Brakes;
  • Exhaust system;
  • Wiper blades;
  • Tire tread and tire pressure;
  • Cooling and heating system;
  • Battery;
  • Lights, and;
  • Gasoline.

It is also always advised to have a kit full of essentials in your vehicle at all times to ensure that you are well prepared in case of an emergency, which can include:

  • Jumper cables;
  • Blankets;
  • Snow shovel and windshield scraper;
  • Flashlight (with extra batteries);
  • A change of clothes or extra clothing such as gloves, boots, jackets, etc.;
  • Non-perishable, high-calorie foods like candy, nuts, etc.;
  • Materials for traction, such as sand, an extra strip of carpet, or salt;
  • Extra windshield washer fluid and antifreeze;
  • Flares and/or reflectors;
  • Bright cloth to use for flagging.

With this kit in your vehicle and your preparations and checks done, you’re ready to hit the road, no matter the weather conditions. Now that we’ve covered the basics, we can move on to individual conditions.

Safe Driving in Snow and Ice

While there are a lot of people living in the Northern states who are more than capable and experienced driving in these types of conditions, there are still many of us who rarely have to deal with it in excess, if even at all some years. 

Because of this, driving in snow and ice can be scary for a lot of us, and fear causes us to panic a bit more than is necessary for the action needed. 

Hopefully, these tips will help at least some of you as much as they’ve helped me deal with these conditions, and be a much more confident driver.

  • Leave plenty of room to stop. Think about it; you’re in a heavy metal box, and even 10 or 20 mph is enough speed to force you forward in these conditions, even if you did compress your brakes in enough time.
  • With that first tip in mind, use your brakes very carefully. The best bet in these conditions is to brake early and correctly, and to remember never to slam on your brakes. This will cause your brakes to lock up, and your car to continue its forward momentum, so always ease into it, and again, give yourself enough room to stop.
  • Tip: Bridge decks are always frozen before anything else due to the difference in air exposure, and this makes the conditions on them much worse than those on the roads.
  • Never use cruise control in wintry conditions. When cruise control is engaged and then suddenly disengaged – say by your sudden engagement of the brakes due to a patch of ice – it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
  • Look further ahead in traffic than normal. This allows you to gauge traffic conditions ahead and anticipate any actions to be made by other drivers, and this allows you an extra second to react.
  • If you’re driving a truck, remember that they are heavier than cars, and thus take more time to stop, so make sure you’re allowing yourself extra space to stop.
  • Slow down. Seriously, even if you think you can go the speed limit or higher, you probably can’t do so safely, especially if the roads are covered in snow… and likely ice as well. Always air on the side of caution.

Safe Driving in Heavy Wind and Rain

Believe it or not, heavy rain and wind can be just as dangerous as snow and ice when driving a vehicle, especially if, like before, you’re not used to driving under these circumstances often, if ever at all. 

And, again, your driver’s ed classes do cover this a bit, but a reminder is never a bad thing.

  • Always turn your lights on when driving in the rain, but never rely on just your brights. True, some vehicles do come equipped with automatic running lights – also known as brights – turning on your actual headlights ensures your tail lights come on as well, and this allows other drivers to see you.
  • Just like in snowy and icy weather, you need to slow down and allow extra distance between you and other vehicles. The speed limits posted are set keeping perfect weather conditions in mind, and are in no way safe for driving in wet conditions, especially not when the wind has picked up as well.
  • Also, like snowy weather, it’s never safe to use cruise control on wet roads. If your cruise control is on and you hydroplane on a particularly wet patch of road, the automatic acceleration function will cause you to lose control of your vehicle before your tires can regain traction with the road.
  • Steer in the direction you want to go if you lose control of your vehicle, rather than trying to over-correct, and don’t worry if it doesn’t work completely on the first try.

8 Driving Tips to Drive in Fog, Rain, or a Storm:

Safe Navigation When the Fog is Too Dense

The best way to drive when the fog is too dense is to turn on your low beams and fog lights. But if you’re having trouble seeing your surroundings, it is still best to pull over and wait for more visibility. Make sure that you turn on your hazard lights and stay at the right side of the road, well out of the traffic lane, to avoid any unwelcome accidents.

Meanwhile, if you really need to continue your trip, here are some tips for safe navigation when the fog is too dense:

  • Keep right and always use the road reflectors as your guide. This will prevent you from drifting into the middle lane.
  • Keep your driving speed slow – nothing beats this safety precaution. Driving slow lessens the impact, just in case you are unable to avoid an accident.
  • Make use of your windshield wipers and defrosters to limit the excess moisture and reduce glare.
  • Keep a safe distance away from other cars to give you ample time to react to unforeseen circumstances. Instead of the usual 2 to 3 seconds distance, might as well settle at 5.

Severe Weather Driving FAQs

Is it safe to take shelter under interstate overpasses against a tornado?

No.

You are putting yourself in a more dangerous situation by taking shelter under an overpass when there’s a tornado. This is because an overpass can concentrate the tornado winds, so the wind will become a lot stronger in that area.

Is it safe to drive a trailer van in high winds?

No.

driving any type of vehicle in high winds is never safe, but it’s more dangerous for “high-profile” vehicles such as trailers, SUVs, and trucks. This is because they have high centers of gravity compared to other cars, thus a higher chance for a rollover accident to occur.

Is it safe to drive through floodwaters if I am driving a large or heavy vehicle, for example, a pickup, or an SUV?

No. 

even if you are driving a large vehicle, two feet of water can make an SUV or a pickup float, and if the water is moving rapidly, these types of vehicles can also be swept away.

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