The Atlanta area received more than 52 inches of rainfall in 2017 and an average of 49.71 inches each year for the past 30 years. Rain can surprise us at any time in Georgia, and it is important to always prepare for a sudden storm. This includes understanding how to adjust your driving and how to stay on the lookout for other potentially dangerous drivers.
While driving in the rain may seem safer than driving in the snow or ice, the risk of crashes increases any time the roads are wet. First, the water may combine with oil already on the road, making the road surface incredibly slick and impeding braking abilities. Heavy thunderstorms can reduce visibility, making it unsafe to drive even with the windshield wipers on the highest setting. Additionally, rain can cause sudden flash flooding, which can result in drivers completely losing control of their vehicles.
There are steps you can take to increase your safety in the rain, including:
- Check your tire pressure and tread on a regular basis to ensure your tires are safe and can maintain traction.
- Reduce your speed. Even though the posted speed limit may be 45 miles per hour, stormy conditions may make 45 miles per hour unsafe.
- Give other vehicles plenty of room. You never know when a driver will lose control or slam on their brakes in the rain, so always leave enough space for you to slow down or stop to avoid a collision.
- Avoid using your car’s cruise control. Cruise control can take your full attention from the road and gives you less control over your vehicle’s speed, which can lead to accidents.
- Know how to handle a skid. Your car may skid no matter how careful you are behind the wheel, so you should review the proper way to handle this often frightening situation.
You can follow every possible safety tip for driving in the rain, and you will still never be able to control the actions and decisions of other drivers. Other drivers may have larger vehicles or four-wheel drive, so they may believe they are invincible in any weather condition. The drivers can be overly-confident, may drive too fast, and may cause a serious crash and injuries to others.
There is a particular risk when driving near large commercial trucks in the rain. Commercial truck drivers operate large, heavy vehicles and may believe they can safely speed past smaller vehicles. Even though the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck drivers to slow down in adverse weather conditions, drivers may violate this rule and may cause devastating crashes.
Discuss Your Accident with Our Gwinnett County Personal Injury Lawyers
You have the right to hold drivers who were unsafe in rainy—or dry—conditions fully responsible for the costs of your injuries and property damage. The car accident attorneys at Brauns Law, PC, handle injury claims involving many different conditions, including adverse weather. If you would like to schedule a free consultation regarding your rights, please call (404) 418-8244 or contact us online today.