Many drivers think that they are great drivers until something bad happens. No other time is this true than when there is bad weather outside. For instance, whenever it snows, this is the prime time for people who have SUVs, Jeeps and Pickup trucks to think that they are somehow above the weather and can drive in it without a problem. As a general word to the wise, there is a reason that weather people tell us to stay inside when there is inclement weather (unless of course it s an emergency); it s because many of us do not know how to drive in bad weather.
I cannot tell you how many people I see on a daily basis when it rains outside who don t have their headlights turned on. One of the first things they teach you in driver s education classes is that when it is raining outside, you are supposed to have your headlights on if your windshield wipers are operating. This is not so much for the driver s visibility as it is for the other drivers on the roadway. For example, have you ever driven down a road in heavy rain and gone to change lanes only to barely see that there is someone right behind you who doesn t have his or her headlights on? If the two of you were to then get into an accident, whose fault would it be? You may have been right to change lanes if you looked behind you and didn t see any other vehicle.
Speeding is also a major issue. A few years ago, I remember driving on the highway while it was raining heavily. Suddenly, this little red car drove by me in the left lane, speeding. I remember thinking that it wasn t safe to be driving that fast, especially in a car that sits lower to the ground than other types of vehicles. No sooner had I thought this when suddenly I witnessed the little red car hydroplane, lose control and spin around, hitting the divider wall. My initial thought was that it served that person right for speeding so recklessly in bad weather. I then thought of something scary. If the highway I was driving on didn t have that dividing wall, then that person would ve definitely spun out into oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway causing a huge accident.
Stay inside if the weather is really bad. If you do choose to go outside for any reason, make sure that you know what you re doing before you get behind the wheel of a car! When it s raining outside, and you choose to use your windshields, turn your lights on. If it is snowing, turn your lights on and slow down. It s ok to drive under the speed limit when the weather is bad if anything it is expected. When you go out in inclement weather, your attention is in full demand. Turn off the cell phone and any other devices or gadgets that will distract you. If you have to, politely ask your passengers to speak softly or keep quiet until you reach your final destination. A few moments of silence is better than a lifetime of regret.
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