How To Drive Safely In Bad Weather

This is written by Paul Mueller

When it rains, what can I do beside turn on the windshield wipers ?

Because rain reduces the traction between your tires and the road's surface, reduce your speed and allow yourself four seconds' stopping distance between you and the car ahead. Remember, light rain can mix with oil and dirt on the surface of the road and make the street extra slippery. You can actually stop faster on a wet road than on a damp one, so be very cautious in light rain or mist. To improve visibility, turn on lights (it's law in most states) and defroster. Avoid sudden moves, and if possible, drive in the tracks of the car ahead.
Remember that puddles can hide potentially damaging potholes. If you must drive through water, put your left foot  lightly on the brake pedal. This helps keep the brake linings from getting wet. And go slowly. If you drive too fast, you could splash water on your ignition system and stall the engine.Once you've cleared the puddle, pump your brakes a few times. If your brake linings did get wet, the heat from the friction will help dry them out.

What if the water starts rising ?

 Should you find yourself driving on a street where water is running swiftly, the force of the current may pull your car to one side. If this happens, ease off the gas pedal, but don't touch your brakes. Then steer away from the swift water. If flooding starts, remember that rising waters are often much deeper than they look. So, don't drive through water, especially on an unfamiliar road or through a flooded underpass. If your car is caught in a flash flood, get out of your car immediately and move to higher ground. Your car could be swept away.
 

What is hydroplaning ?
 

Hydroplaning occurs when the tires of your car lose contact with the road and ride up on a wedge of water between the tires and the road. You may not realize it's happening until you try to maneuver your car and find you have no control. The less tread your tires have, the more likely you'll hydroplane. Therefore, make sure your tires have at least an eighth of an inch of tread depth. (It's illegal to drive with a sixteenth of an inch or less tread depth.) And make sure your tires are properly inflated. If you don't know the proper inflation level for your tires, check your owner's manual. To avoid hydroplaning, take care of your tires, slow down when the roads are wet, stay away from puddles and drive at a steady speed.If you do hydroplane, keep the steering wheel straight. Take your foot off the gas. Don't hit your brakes or try to steer. As you slow, the weight of your car will cause it to settle down onto the road again.

Can I make driving in ice and snow easier ?

Yes. Before you start driving, clean the ice and snow off your windows and clean the snow off your hood, roof and trunk.  If there is ice or snow under the wheels, use traction mats or spread some sand, salt or other abrasive material in front of or behind the wheels to keep them from spinning. You might want to carry these materials in the trunk of your car. After all, your driveway isn't the only place you can get stuck. Once the car starts moving, drive slowly. Depending on the weight of your vehicle, you'll need three to 12 times more stopping distance on icy roads than on dry surfaces. When stopping, slowly ease off your accelerator and pump your  brakes. Be most aware when the temperature is around 32o F. This is when the road is most slippery. And remember, bridges and overpasses usually freeze first, so slow down when approaching them. Snow tires help. Remember that radial tires are not snow tires unless they have snow tread configuration and are marked with an "M&S" (mud & snow) on the tire's sidewall.

What's the best way to drive through fog ?

If you see a patch of fog ahead, slow down before you reach it. Whether it's day or night, you can see better and help other drivers see you by turning on your low beam headlights. High beams shine directly into the fog, causing you to see more glare than road to maximize your visibility, turn on your windshield wipers as well as your defroster and fan. Use the right edge of the road as a guide. Be alert for cars that are creeping through the fog at a snail's pace or have pulled off on the shoulder. Listening can be important in heavy fog, so roll the side window down. You may actually hear other cars before you see them. If the fog is really dense, pull as far off the road as you safely can. Turn on your emergency flashers and honk your horn from time to time so passing cars will know you're there. If you frequently drive in fog, consider adding fog lights to your vehicle. They not only make it easier for you to see, but make it easier for oncoming traffic to see you.

What should I do in tornadoes ?

Never try to outrun a tornado. They can easily move at 70 miles per hour. If you believe a tornado is very close, leave your car. If you can't find shelter in a safe building, lie flat in a ditch or gully with your arms over your head. But, be aware of rapidly rising waters.

What should I do in hurricanes ?

If a hurricane watch is issued in your area, pack your car with essentials and fill your gas tank. You need to be ready to evacuate if a hurricane warning is issued. Be familiar with designated evacuation routes and use them. Since flooding can happen without warning both before and after a hurricane, you should avoid driving on coastal and low-lying roads.


What should I do in lightning ?

In an electrical storm it's safest to stay in your car. If you're inside a hard-topped car and it's struck by lightning, the car will conduct the charge into the ground and insulate you from electrocution. If you're in an open vehicle like a convertible, golf cart, tractor, motorcycle or bicycle, you're a target for lightning. Get away and find safe shelter. If you can't find shelter, move  to an open area, crouch low to the ground and stay away from tall trees.

What should I do in blizzards ?

It's easy to become disoriented and lost during a blizzard. So should you become stranded, stay in your car. It's your best shelter. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, leave a downwind window partially open and clear the snow away from your tailpipe each time you run the engine. To stay warm without running out of gas, run your engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour.

What should I do in earthquakes ?

Because your car's suspension absorbs the quake's shock, you may not know a quake is occurring until you notice unusual things happening around you. Watch for falling debris, people running into the street and drivers who may become distracted. But do stay in your car. It's still a relatively safe place.
both during and after an earthquake, avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses or any structure that could have been weakened by the tremor.

If a front-wheel vehicle skids, do I respond differently than I would in a rear
-heel-drive vehicle ?

Whether your car has front- or rear-wheel drive, you should ease up on the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
Resist the temptation to brake. If your car has rear-wheel drive, your car could keep skidding in a straight line, making it difficult for you to steer around objects in your path. If your car has front-wheel drive, your car could go into a spin.
To avoid skidding, use steady, gentle pressure on the accelerator and slow down before making lane changes or turns.
 

Are there new car safety features that can help reduce the risks in bad
weather driving ?

There are several new safety features that can help. Some are available as standard equipment on certain cars, while others are offered as options.

Antilock Braking System. To help prevent skids on slippery roads, computer controls "pump" the brakes automatically, preventing lockup.

Traction Control. Keeps the wheels from spinning and skidding on slippery surfaces when the driver accelerates.

"Heads-Up" Instrument Panel. With this feature, the driver can see the speedometer readings and emergency warnings without looking down. It projects the information onto the lower left side of the windshield.

All-Wheel Drive. Popular in areas with harsh winters, this feature creates more traction by sending the engine's power to all four of its wheels instead of the two front or two rear wheels.


Courtesy Shell  Oil