You may leave home expecting an ordinary summer drive. The sun may be shining, the roads may be dry, and traffic may be moving normally. Then, within minutes, dark clouds roll in, the rain begins, visibility drops, and the road beneath your tires changes. Summer thunderstorms can arrive quickly, bringing heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, hail, flooding, debris, and sudden changes in visibility. Conditions that were perfectly manageable moments earlier can become dangerous very quickly.
For a crash survivor, severe weather can carry an additional emotional weight. A sudden downpour, the sound of tires on wet pavement, lightning, or even losing visibility for a few seconds can bring back memories of the crash. What another driver may consider an inconvenience can feel very different to someone who has lived through the consequences of a motor vehicle crash. That is why weather awareness isn’t just about getting where you’re going. It’s about making decisions that help you get there safely.
Before You Head Out Look at the Weather
One of the easiest ways to reduce your risk is to know what you’re driving into before you leave. Before heading out during the summer storm season:
- Check the weather forecast.
- Check for severe thunderstorm warnings.
- Check road and traffic conditions.
- Look ahead at the route you plan to take.
- Give yourself extra travel time.
- Make sure your headlights and brake lights are working properly.
- Check that your windshield wipers are in good condition.
- Make sure your tires have adequate tread and proper inflation.
- Ensure your windshield washer fluid reservoir is filled.
A Crash Survivor’s Perspective: It’s Okay to Wait
After a crash, many survivors become much more aware of the risks that exist every time we get into a vehicle. That awareness can sometimes be difficult. You may notice things you never thought about before. You may watch the weather more carefully. You may feel anxious when driving in heavy rain. You may choose different routes or avoid driving during severe weather altogether. Those choices aren’t necessarily signs that you’re being overly cautious. Sometimes, being cautious is being smart. Taking an extra hour to wait out a storm is a small price to pay for reducing unnecessary risk.
Slow Down When the Rain Begins
One of the most important things you can do during a thunderstorm is simple: Slow down. Rain can make roads slippery and reduce traction. Standing water can cause your vehicle to hydroplane, which occurs when your tires lose contact with the road surface. When that happens, steering and braking can become much more difficult.
During heavy rain:
- Reduce your speed.
- Increase your following distance.
- Leave yourself more time to react.
- Avoid sudden braking.
- Avoid sudden lane changes.
- Avoid sharp steering movements.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
- Stay alert for changing road conditions.
Hydroplaning Can Happen Quickly
Hydroplaning can happen when your tires encounter more water than they can effectively move away from the road surface. You may feel the steering become unusually light or the vehicle begin to move differently. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, remain calm. Avoid sudden steering or braking movements. Ease off the accelerator and allow the tires to regain contact with the road.
Visibility Can Disappear in Seconds
Heavy rain can dramatically reduce visibility. You may have difficulty seeing:
- Lane markings
- Traffic lights
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Motorcycles
- Vehicles ahead
- Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction
- Road debris
- Puddles and standing water
Turn on your headlights so you can see and be seen. Keep your windshield clean and use your wipers appropriately. If the rain becomes so heavy that you cannot safely see the road ahead, don’t try to push through it. Find a safe place to pull over, if possible, and wait for conditions to improve.
Don’t Use Cruise Control in Heavy Rain
Cruise control can reduce your ability to respond quickly to changing road conditions. On wet roads, maintaining direct control of your speed is especially important. Keep your attention on the road and adjust your speed as conditions change. Your goal isn’t simply to maintain your schedule. Your goal is to maintain control.
Strong Winds Can Create Unexpected Hazards
Thunderstorms can produce powerful wind gusts that create hazards even when rainfall isn’t particularly heavy. Strong winds can bring down:
- Trees
- Large branches
- Signs
- Other debris
- Power lines
Be especially cautious around wooded areas, bridges, open roads, and places where large objects could be blown into your path. If you are driving a larger vehicle, towing a trailer, or hauling something, strong crosswinds can be particularly challenging.
Never Drive Through Flooded Roads
Floodwater can be deceptive. It can be difficult to determine how deep it is, whether the road underneath has been damaged, or how quickly water is moving. Your vehicle can lose traction or become disabled. Moving water can also move a vehicle, particularly when the water is deeper or faster than it appears. A flooded road may look passable. That doesn’t mean it is. If you encounter a flooded roadway, find another route whenever possible.
Watch for Flooding After the Storm
Don’t assume the danger has disappeared simply because the rain has stopped. Water can remain on roads long after a storm has passed. Drainage systems can become overwhelmed, and roads can contain areas of standing water. Continue driving cautiously until you are confident that conditions have returned to normal.
Lightning: Stay Inside Your Vehicle
Thunderstorms also bring lightning. If you are caught in a lightning storm while driving, your vehicle can provide protection when you remain inside with the windows closed. If you’ve pulled over safely, remain inside rather than getting out unnecessarily during the storm. Avoid touching metal surfaces connected to the vehicle’s exterior and wait for the storm to pass before continuing when conditions allow.
What Should You Do If You Become Frightened While Driving?
For crash survivors, severe weather can sometimes trigger anxiety. You may suddenly remember your crash. Your heart may start racing. You may feel overwhelmed by the rain or the reduced visibility. If that happens, remember that you don’t have to keep driving simply because you started the trip. If you can safely pull over in an appropriate location, do so. There is strength in recognizing when you need to stop.
Don’t Let Other Drivers Influence Your Decisions
One of the most dangerous things about severe weather is watching other drivers continue as though nothing has changed. You may see vehicles speeding past you. You may see someone following another vehicle too closely. You may see drivers changing lanes aggressively or continuing through standing water. Their choices don’t determine what is safe for you. You are responsible for your own driving decisions. Don’t allow someone else’s impatience to pressure you into driving faster than conditions safely allow.
A Reminder for Every Driver
A summer storm may last an hour. A crash can change a life forever. Take the extra time. Slow down. Put safety before schedules. One safe decision can save a lifetime of recovery.
