Driving Safety
As winter weather approaches, here are six things you can do to avoid motor vehicle accidents.
Remember: Drive cautiously, especially when it rains.
As winter approaches, visibility becomes a challenge for drivers because of heavy rain and foggy weather. This might cause motor vehicle accidents.
Please drive cautiously for your own safety and that of others. Here are a few key tips to driving in rainy or difficult weather situations.
Adverse Weather Driving
PULL OFF THE ROAD as far away from traffic as possible if visibility, while driving, becomes extremely poor. Turn off your headlights, take your foot off the brake pedal, and turn on your hazard lights. Wait until conditions improve before starting to drive again.
MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE IN GOOD CONDITION. Pay particular attention to your brakes and tires. Tires must have proper treads and must be properly inflated. Make sure that windshield wipers work properly, the washer fluid bottle is full, and headlights are clean and in good condition.
ALWAYS BUCKLE UP. Make sure that everyone in the car is properly restrained. Children should be secured in the back seat in child restraints or seat belts, according to their size and age.
REDUCE YOUR DRIVING SPEED so that you can stop safely within the distance you can see. Keep in mind that the road surface may be wet, which will increase the distance needed to stop.
INCREASE THE NORMAL DISTANCE between your car and the car in front of you to three to five times to ensure a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.
USE YOUR LOW-BEAM/FOG LIGHTS so you can see and be seen. Do not use high-beam lights to avoid reflecting back to the driver, and reducing visibility. Never drive with your hazard lights on.