ALT-1 How to React in Sudden Bad Weather
Sometimes the weather conditions worsen faster than we can expect and give little or no chance to us to prepare our car according to the bad weather conditions. Even the most experienced drivers do not like fog or thunderstorms appearing suddenly and they sometimes get involved in accidents. But we still can do things to make us drive safely thru the bad weather and avoid accidents.
Most of us think that fog does not appear suddenly but it does. Localized fog is very dangerous and it sometimes appears so fast that you don’t even notice. If there is fog, turn on your fog lights and emergency blinkers. Use your horn at least every 10 seconds to warn the drivers that cannot see you. Slow down and focus on the road and driving. Check your mirrors all the time and if you are in dense fog especially at night, try to find a place to pull over.
Driving on snow requires skills but even you have skills, it is very dangerous when there is ice on the road. And sometimes you do not notice that there is ice on the road till it is too late. Most of the drivers slam the brakes and that is something that you should never do. It will only make your car slide and cause an accident. On ice, even the snow tires have little grip and as soon as you brake, the tires will almost have no grip. Whether it is snowing or there is ice on the road, use your engine brake instead of normal brakes. Once the car slows down, you can use your brakes but press brake gently. Use of emergency brake in these kinds of weather conditions will cause a catastrophe. If you have snow chains, stop your car and put them on your tires immediately.
Rain and thunderstorms are not as scary as the fog, ice and the snow but we need to remember that rain is the top cause of car accidents. Many drivers do not slow down when it is raining and they increase the risk of accidents. Slow down and avoid heavy braking. Always leave a safe following distance between you and the car in the front. Normally, when the roads are dry, 3 seconds rule apply, but when it is raining, make it at least 7 seconds.
Tornadoes usually travel at 30-70 mph but there can be ones that travel 100-300 mph. Tornadoes can change direction at any time and as soon as you see one, try to get far away from it. If you cannot get away, and the tornado is coming closer, get out of your car. To stay in your car is the most dangerous thing that you can do. Seek a shelter and if you cannot find one, lie on the ground and cover your head with your arms. Try to get as far as from your car.
In any kind of bad weather conditions except tornadoes, slow down and turn on your headlights. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry. If the fog surrounds you or it suddenly starts snowing, do not panic. Don’t forget that you can stop driving any time you want, park your car on the side of the road and call for help; but if want to continue driving, do your best not to panic.
