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Springtime typically means warmer weather for most of the country, and this leads to more people hitting the road to enjoy milder temperatures. However, spring also means some of the most precipitation many areas of the country will see all year.
If you plan to do any driving during the spring months, it is crucial to remember that warmer weather does not automatically mean safer driving.
Spring showers can appear and fade very quickly in some areas of the country while others experience hailstorms, torrential rains, or even snow during the spring months. Precipitation makes driving more dangerous, and all drivers should know how to avoid accidents from wet weather.
Make sure to keep your tires adequately inflated and check for any signs of tread degradation so you can replace old and worn-out tires as soon as possible. Solid tires help you maintain control of your vehicle on slick roads.
Sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain showers can reduce visibility. Check your vehicle’s lights at the end of winter to see if they need replacing. Your lights not only help you see on darkened roads, they also keep you visible to other drivers.
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lift away from the road and glide along standing water on the very surface of the road. Hydroplaning is incredibly dangerous and may cause the vehicle to spin out into adjacent vehicles or in front of oncoming traffic. During the winter, leaking vehicle fluids like fuel and oil may rest on the road until the spring rains come, making the water on the surface of the road incredibly slick and dangerous.
ust because the posted speed limit is 45 mph does not mean it is always safe to travel at 45 mph at that location. Some states allow police officers to conduct traffic stops for driving too fast for conditions. For example, you should reduce your speed to match the flow of traffic during a heavy storm, and this may mean driving five to ten or more mph below the posted speed limits until conditions improve.
Wet weather can make driving more difficult, so be realistic about your experience and comfort level if you are considering driving during inclement weather. The end of winter is a great time to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle or schedule a tune-up. Your mechanic can exchange the fluids in your vehicle and help prepare it for the warmer weather.
Knowing how to navigate wet weather is only part of safe spring driving. You must also ensure your vehicle is mechanically fit for warm weather driving. Many vehicles require different types of fluids for different times of the year, or maybe your vehicle simply has not had a proper tune-up in a while and you want to be safe this spring. Whatever your case may be, having a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle at the end of winter can make for safer driving in the coming months.
Many Americans have winter tires installed on their vehicles for cold weather, and your mechanic can swap out your winter tires with your warm weather tires – or even a fresh set if your tires are too worn to trust on the road.
Since warm weather brings more people out on the road, you will likely see more traffic than you did over the winter. This means defensive driving can be a tremendous asset and help you avoid potentially expensive accidents and serious injuries.
Defensive driving means operating your vehicle as safely as possible free from distractions, anticipating the actions of other drivers nearby, and staying alert for changing road conditions. If you find yourself in a car accident due to another’s negligence, schedule a free consultation with a Denver car accident lawyer in your area. The Denver personal injury attorneys of Fang Accident Lawyers offer free consultations in Denver, CO.
Spring driving may pose some serious challenges, but you can avoid accidents by tending to your vehicle, driving safely, and knowing how to handle inclement weather.