If you reside in Atlanta and are not from Atlanta, you might not be aware that the city is subject to rain (rain snow, sleet or hail) on an average of each year for 109 days. Though you might think that it’s not necessary to know how to drive through snow because it’s not that much as it accumulates one inch a year in Atlanta the reality is that this attitude leads to a lot of accident-related accidents in cars when a snowfall that is rare happens.
In addition, due to the volume of precipitation that falls from the sky all year long, Atlanta drivers need to be aware of the snow, rain as well as hail and sleet which are all factors in slippery roads. Learn five helpful tips provided by a personal injury lawyer for driving during inclement weather.
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1. Slow Down
If you drive in wet or snowy circumstances, the tires will not have the same grip like on pavement that is dry. In the end, you’ll be unable to drive at the same speed in a safe manner.
The ability to slow down will assist you in ensuring safer navigation when driving on roads that are slippery. The tires have time to respond to changes and get better grip on slippery roads when you’re not driving through them.
We suggest reducing your speeds by half while you are in dangerous conditions. If the speed limit for the area is 75 mph, you should not over 40 mph. Don’t forget that just because the driver next to you is driving at a high speed doesn’t mean you have to.
2. Make use of AWD or 4WD.
If your vehicle has an the all-wheel drive feature that you can activate it, we suggest using this setting during bad conditions. All-wheel drive applies equal power to all your tires at once. While the four-wheel drive provides more power to your car, which improves its performance in off-roading conditions.
Both settings will aid in maintaining better control when driving on roads that are icy or wet. Although you can still expect roads to be slippery you use these settings, and you could slide a few times however, you’ll be more comfortable driving using AWD or 4WD.
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3. Make sure to leave a greater brake distance
If you are driving your car during heavy rain you must leave more space between your car and the car ahead behind you, than you normally would. Because your tires don’t have the same traction when it’s snow, rain or sleet and snow, they require more time for them to slow and stop when you stop. If you don’t leave enough space, you could risk hitting the car ahead of you, which could cause a serious pile-up.
Experts suggest leaving 10 times the stopping distance than is normal for the rain, snowy and snowy conditions. The more distance you can travel, the better since you do not be aware of how long it will take to get to a complete the point of stopping.
4. Do not slam the brakes!
In the event of bad weather, driving can be stressful and it is recommended to hold your brakes on as a safety measure. In addition, many drivers are prone to slam on the brake whenever they begin to slide. Although sliding down slippery, wet roads, or on snowy ones is scary and dangerous, hitting your brakes too hard could cause you to slide out and lose control instantly.
Some drivers recommend tapping the brakes frequently instead of slamming on the brake pedal. If your vehicle comes with an ABS brake system it can “tap” the brakes automatically.
If you are feeling like you’re sliding, you can follow these steps:
- Get off the accelerator.
- Your wheel should be turned in the direction that the back car is sliding.
- Beware of overcorrecting.
5. Stay at Home
Staying off the roads is the best method to safeguard yourself from rain hail, sleet snow or ice storms. If you are able to avoid going on the road in those conditions, you can reduce the possibility of getting in an accident. Additionally, you help clear roads for those who have to go to work or other important places.
If you do need to go somewhere to go, keep an eye on the radar and plan your journey in a way that is strategic. If there is more precipitation expected late in the afternoon, get there early to avoid the worst on the storm. If the storm is coming to an end, you should wait for a couple of hours for greater visibility and in the event of snow, the plows as well as salt trucks should be used to prepare routes first.
