It is essential to recognize the myriad of risks you face on the road, especially when it comes to reckless drivers. Regrettably, some people get behind the wheel after drinking or when they are too tired to stay focused. Distractions also lead to many accidents, and drivers go over the speed limit for a wide variety of reasons. All of these examples of negligent driving become even more dangerous when weather conditions are poor.
In fact, many different types of bad weather can lead to an auto accident and drivers need to review these risks.
Snow, ice, fog and other weather-related car crash risks
The Federal Highway Administration has published information on the various ways in which poor weather conditions can lead to traffic crashes. For example, snow, ice and rain can cause roads to become slick, which could lead to a driver losing control of their vehicle. Fog, strong wind and heavy precipitation can affect a driver’s ability to see the road and increase speed variance, which can increase the likelihood of a collision.
Statistics on weather and car crashes
Between 2007 and 2016, more than 1.2 million weather-related traffic accidents took place, according to the FHA. These accidents claimed more than 5,300 lives and resulted in over 418,000 people suffering injuries. During this 10-year period, wet pavement and rain played a role in more motor vehicle crashes than other weather-related risk factors.
When a negligent driver causes an accident during bad weather, such as someone who drives too fast around a sharp turn and loses control of their vehicle due to ice, they must face the consequences of their actions.