Driving conditions continue to challenge Utah drivers, and with the mix of both snow and rain, it’s easy for drivers to express their frustrations toward mother nature in the form of reckless driving. However, a car accident lawyer will advise any driver to make sure they are following proper driving precautions when faced with such treacherous conditions, as these conditions can ultimately lead to a fatal accident.
From reckless driving speeds to distractions behind the wheel, here are the most common mistakes people make when driving in the rain.
Driving Too Fast
When a driver is speeding in the rain, their reaction time is lower, the time it takes to stop is longer, and the traction of the vehicle is reduced. In addition to these hazards, hydroplaning is another common occurrence during rainy conditions and is extremely dangerous. This occurs when water comes between the vehicle’s tire and the pavement, causing the driver to lose control of their vehicle. Of course, this can happen to anyone who drives in the rain, but those who choose to speed are most at risk. If you lose control of the vehicle, panicking and turning your steering-wheel may result in a high-speed, fatal crash.
Driving with Your Hazard Lights On
Driving in the rain with your hazard lights on is another reckless practice which leads to serious accidents across the nation. Hazards lights are meant to warn other drivers that your vehicle is stopped or broken-down, so it may confuse other drivers if you choose to drive with them on. Something that a car accident lawyer hears often from drivers who were harmed due to this practice is that they wanted to make sure that other drivers could see them in the downpour. However, hazard lights can distract other drivers from your brake lights, leading to severe rear end collisions and a call to a personal injury lawyer.
Getting Impatient
It’s already dangerous enough to get impatient during regular driving conditions, so getting impatient during rainfall is even more of a threat to a driver’s well-being. Road rage and reckless driving are common causes when it comes to serious auto accidents. Actions such as speeding, slamming on your brakes, and weaving in and out of traffic are all bound to result in something more than just a fender bender.
The rain should be treated just as seriously as heavy snowfall, and failure to do so results in some of the most horrific accidents on the road. If you or someone you know have been injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer here at Robert J. DeBry and Associates. Our team of professional attorneys are ready to take on any case at any time.