Rainy Weather Should Remind Valley Drivers to Be Safe

by Amber Cortez | September 4th, 2019 | Driving Tips

As the hurricane season continues, the first week of September tends to be one of the rainiest weeks for the Rio Grande Valley on an average annual basis. While some may consider it to be a nice change of weather, it is by no means a gleeful switch for drivers.

While Hurricane Dorian makes its way into Florida, a low-pressure area just west of the Gulf of Mexico has now turned into Tropical Storm Fernand. While predictions have it heading towards Mexico, its effects are still likely to be felt across the Rio Grande Valley.

Rio Grande Valley residents are likely to see heavy rainfall and potential flooding during this first week of September. That means Valley residents are going to need to be extra cautious while traveling throughout the region in the days to come.

The Rio Grande City car accident attorneys at J.Gonzalez Injury Attorneys urge you to take the following safety measures into consideration if you get caught in heavy rainfall while behind the wheel.

Precautions to Take When Driving in the Rain

A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that the most dangerous driving condition is when it is raining; rainy weather causes more driving fatalities than driving in the snow. Since rain causes roadways to become wet and slippery, it can be harder for motorists to maintain full control of their vehicle.

It is estimated that 73% of all weather-related car accidents happen on wet pavement and 46% occur when it is raining. Almost 7,000 Americans are killed and nearly 500,000 injured when driving during hazardous weather conditions.

While these facts are alarming, there are a few steps we can take to better protect ourselves, our passengers, and others on the road:

Use windshield wipers and defog your windows. One of the biggest factors of weather-related accidents is limited visibility for drivers. This is why using your windshield wipers and defogger are essential when driving in the rain. These will help to give you a much clearer view of the road.

Drive slowly. Driving slower in rainy weather will give you more time to react to unexpected hazards and dangerous drivers.

Stay aware of your surroundings. While you should always be fully focused when behind the wheel, you need to be especially aware of your surroundings while it is raining. Keep an eye other drivers, avoid pools of water which can lead to hydroplaning, and be mindful of the distance between you and the car in front of you.

Avoid suddenly braking. One way to easily lose control of your vehicle when it’s raining is to slam on your brakes when traveling at high speeds. Braking too fast over a pool of water can lead to you hydroplaning and hitting the vehicle in front of you or causing any trailing vehicle to rear-end you.

With the Rio Grande Valley set to see plenty of rainy weather this upcoming week, it is best to keep these tips in mind.

Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident caused by a negligent motorist driving recklessly in rainy weather, then do NOT hesitate to contact the Rio Grande City car accident lawyers at J.Gonzalez Injury Attorneys. We will not let an irresponsible driver get away with the damages they have caused you.