Weather conditions play a big role in road safety. It can turn a fun driving experience into a dangerous one. Sudden rain downpours or an unexpected storm can change the road conditions and make things difficult for the driver. This will further potentially lead to high-speed collisions.
It’s estimated that more than 5,891,000 accidents happen every year. Around 1,235,000 of these crashes are caused by bad weather.
Hence, understanding how weather impacts road safety and driving behavior is important for drivers. Let us dive in a bit more and try to learn how weather conditions become the reason for high-speed collision cases.
How Weather May Lead to High-Speed Collision Accidents
Traveling at high speeds is always dangerous. However, that risk factor increases even more in adverse weather conditions. A wet, icy road makes it difficult for you to stop the vehicle. It’s even more important when traveling at high speeds since vehicles need much more space to stop safely.
Another major concern is the reduced reaction time. Bad weather conditions would already have made things worse with limited visibility. Now with extra speeds, you will have less time to put brakes on your vehicle which eventually leads to a collision.
Let us take St. Louis as an example. Though not known for constant rain, the city gets plenty of precipitation, especially during spring. There have been water management issues in the past because of this.
Recently, a St. Louis man died after crashing into a guardrail on Interstate 270 in north St. Louis County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man wasn’t paying attention and drove too fast in wet road conditions.
St. Louis’ high-speed highways increase car accident risk. This is especially true during bad weather or on congested bridges. According to TorHoerman Law, approximately 28% of all St. Louis car accidents cause serious injuries.
Unfortunately, even the most careful drivers can get into a weather-related high-speed collision in St. Louis. Dealing with legal issues in such situations can be difficult.
Therefore, if you’re a St. Louis resident struggling after an accident, consulting a car accident lawyer in St. Louis might help. This way you will be able to understand your rights and options. Additionally, you will get compensation for your medical treatment costs, vehicle damage costs, etc.
Common Weather Conditions and Increased Risks
Reduced Visibility
Rain, snow, and fog are common weather conditions that block your vision and don’t give you time to react. Rain usually creates a blanket of water and snow creates a whiteout effect. When we talk about fog, you would struggle to see things beyond a couple of feet. It could get so gloomy.
Every year, over 38,700 car crashes happen in fog, states FHWA, resulting in over 600 deaths and 16,300 injuries every year.
On the other hand, sun glares hit straight at your eyes and you would temporarily get blinded because of the brightness. All in all, these are some of the natural factors that will make it difficult for drivers to see the road and other vehicles.
Slick Road Surfaces
Now, the next thing that adds to the reduced visibility is the roads getting slippery because of the rain and snow. Once the snow precipitates, it turns the normal road into a slick road surface.
The road loses friction and becomes slippery because of this slick surface. Hence, you would lose control over your vehicle when at a high speed, and the chances of head-on collisions increase. You would eventually find it difficult to apply brakes and steer the vehicle properly. It’s estimated that 75 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes happen on wet roads and 47 percent during rainy weather.
Moreover, if oil is spilled on the road, the road surface becomes extremely slippery when mixed with water. This will decrease friction even more and make your vehicle more likely to skid.
High Winds
Vehicles like heavy trucks are highly affected by strong winds. Drivers struggle to maintain their lanes when wind gusts push their vehicles off course. High winds can also cause smaller vehicles to drift or lose control.
Safety Tips for Driving in Bad Weather
You need to drive with extra caution in bad weather. Here are some tips you need to know:
- Reduce speed significantly. You’ll get better control of your vehicle and a shorter stopping distance on slick roads if you slow down.
- Increase the following distance. Make sure you keep a distance between you and the car in front so you can react to sudden stops.
- Turn on your headlights. Use your headlights even during daytime rain or fog to improve visibility for yourself and other drivers.
- Use windshield wipers and defrosters. Make use of your wipers and defrosters wisely to keep your windshield clear.
- Avoid sudden braking. Smooth braking and careful steering reduce the risk of skidding or losing control.
- Pull over if visibility is really bad. When you can’t see clearly, get off the road and wait until the conditions improve.
If you follow these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents on the road.
All in all, following safe driving practices, understanding the dangers of bad weather, and driving at high speeds can help you avoid accidents. It’s always important to get to your destination safely rather than fast. Make sure you drive smart, not fast, especially in bad weather.
