In Homestead and across South Florida, drivers are fortunate to not have to deal with icy or snowy roads very often. However, slippery roads can still happen in these areas thanks to spills and due to rainy conditions. Knowing how to drive on a slippery road is essential to avoiding car accidents.
When a road is slick due to rain or a spill, your tires can’t grip the road properly. This can lead to situations where your car does not brake as quickly as you need to, which can cause rear-end shunt accidents. In some cases, slick roads can also lead to drivers losing control of their cars. Multiple vehicle accidents are not uncommon in these situations.
Here’s how to stay safe, even when driving conditions are wet:
Know what you are heading into: Set up alerts on your phone or check driving conditions before you hop in your car. Understanding where roads are slick or where an accident may have caused spilled fuel is important. Being a prepared driver means being a safer driver:
- Have good tires: A well-maintained car with newer tires with good treads is better able to handle all sorts of driving conditions. Always get your vehicle maintained regularly and replace your tires well before “bald spots” appear. When your treads are worn down, you are more likely to slide.
- Slow down: If you do encounter a slippery road surface, adjust the speed of your vehicle. You are more likely to lose control of your car, especially on curves and turns, if you are driving too fast for the conditions.
- Look out for hills: A downhill grade will cause your car to speed up, thanks to the laws of physics. Even if you are safely driving below the speed limit, a hill can be too much in slick weather.
- Keep more space around you: Leave extra space in front of you and behind you so you have more time to brake. One of the biggest dangers with slippery road tops is the extra time it takes to come to a complete stop, so you will want to compensate for this.
- Don’t assume you can outdrive a slide: Do everything you can to avoid sliding. Once you do, you are at risk of overcorrecting and making your situation worse. If you do find yourself in a slide, stay calm and turn in the direction the back of your car is going. Keep your eyes where you want to go and steer in that direction. Even if you do this, however, keep in mind momentum could cause you to crash. In this situation, low speed is the best chance to avoid a serious injury.
If you have been in an accident in slippery conditions, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Homestead car accident attorney. In bad weather, drivers are expected to adjust their speed and driving for the conditions. If someone is reckless and does not do this, you may have a claim if you have been injured as a result. Contact Flaxman Law Group to find out more.