Rain And Slick Roads: Dangers & Safety Tips For Texas Drivers

This week we covered the tragic story of a Plano car accident that killed one 16-year-old girl and seriously injured another.
The inexperienced driver was driving too fast for the rainy conditions and lost control of her car, slamming into a utility pole on the Sam Rayburn Tollway.
Rain, wet weather, and slick roads are a leading cause of car accidents in Texas. Rainy conditions can cause hydroplaning – a dangerous situation in which water on the roads causes your tires to lose contact with the road and that causes a driver to lose control of the car. Rain can also hurt a driver’s visibility and cause cars to take longer to brake and come to a stop. Especially if it is raining after a long dry spell, oil and other substances can collect on roadways, making the roads even slicker than usual.
Below, read about how you can prevent rain-related car accidents:

• Slow down. In a large downpour or heavy rainstorm, do not attempt to drive the posted speed limit. Drive at a slower, safer speed, and don’t rush to get to your destination.
• Make slow, deliberate movements. Press the brake and gas pedals lightly and only make small movements with your steering wheel. Faster movements could cause you to skid of hydroplane.
• Avoid driving through standing water and running water. Deep water can be very dangerous, especially if you can’t see its depth or if you drive through it without caution.
• Put extra space between your car and the car in front of you. Since it takes longer to brake in rain, many car accidents involving ran are rear end accidents that could have been prevented.
• Turn on your headlights. Turning on your lights, even in the daytime, will increase both your visibility and let others see you better.