Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
You never know what you’re going to get with the Florida weather. One minute it’s storming and the next minute the sun is shining through. Because of the fickleness of Mother Nature, we’re asking all drivers to be prepared for the worst as rainy season comes to an end.
Officials with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) are asking the same thing after a multitude of accidents during a recent stormy weekend.
There were a number of car accidents that happened both on Interstate 10 and Interstate 75 over past weekends. Now, officers with the Florida Highway Patrol and asking motorists statewide to consider roadway and weather conditions before heading out and to adjust their driving habits to accommodate whatever they may encounter out there.
“Incidents such as these are a reminder of the precautions motorists should take while driving in extreme weather,” said the director of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Col. David Brierton.
Our Lantana car accident attorneys understand that weather is a frequent contributor to car accidents, as is driving too fast for conditions. It’s important for drivers to remember that we can’t drive like it’s clear and sunny all the time. When Florida’s skies open up, we need to adjust our driving habits to accommodate it. When it’s wet and slippery out, it’s important that we slow down, make sure our headlights are on and pay extra attention to our surroundings. Officials with the FHP are here to offer drivers with some extra safe diving tips to help prevent accidents during rain and thunderstorms.
Safe Driving Tips for Rainy Weather:
-Slow it down. You need more time to react to dangers out there and it also takes longer to stop on slick roadways.
-Make sure you keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Your vehicle is more likely to skid on slippery and wet streets.
-If the rain is coming down too hard and you’re having a tough time seeing out of your windshield, you should pull over and wait it out.
-Make sure you’re driving with your headlights turned on.
-Make sure that your tires are in good condition. Make sure that the tire tread depth is significant. Worn tires increase your risks for slipping and sliding out there.
-Keep an eye on your windshield wipers. Test them periodically to make sure they’re working well. A rain storm is not the time to figure out that you need to replace them.
-Make sure that you always wear a seat belt. Buckling up can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an accident.
As you know, rain in Florida can be year round and we can’t always predict when we’re going to run into these conditions. Make sure you’re always ready by not only keeping an umbrella with you, but by making sure your car is in good-working condition for the weather and that you adjust your driving behaviors accordingly.
If you or someone in your family has been injured in an accident, contact the injury attorneys of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your case. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Red-Light Cameras Not Turning a Profit in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 27, 2012
Road Rage: Dangerous Drivers on South Florida Roads, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 10, 2012