I recently saw a viral video of a real time multi-vehicle pileup in heavy traffic during a snowstorm. Some drivers saw the upcoming tangle of metal and brake lights in just enough time to swerve dangerously off the road into an adjacent field. Most drivers, however, did not notice the pileup ahead of them until far too late. These drivers ploughed into the back of the wreck at more or less the full speed limit.
Thankfully, the video concluded with a note that although many of the drivers and passengers required medical attention, everybody was – eventually – able to walk away (if you have been affected by a crash in poor weather due to other drivers, then find a reckless driving lawyer). The takeaway for me was that driving in heavy snow is just about as bad an idea as trying to fly a plane without radar while wearing a near-blacked-out welder’s mask. With that in mind, and acknowledging that sometimes we have to travel in adverse weather conditions, let’s take a look at bad weather driving tips.
Planning ahead and alternate routes
Planning ahead means looking at the peak weather conditions and trying to travel in the lulls between the most difficult conditions. Everybody will understand if you’re slightly late due to the weather. Planning ahead can also mean considering your route. Everybody knows that the fastest route between A and B is a straight line. Thanks to the road building skills of the Romans, this direct route of most roads has been adopted globally. However, when the traffic slows due to bad weather, the roads become blocked and congested. By checking out alternate routes, you can aim to avoid not only the potential for being rear-ended by a less than attentive driver, but you can avoid the likelihood of running into a queue of traffic. In this case, slow and steady is the answer.
The radio can bring mental focus
Depending on which source you look up, car radios are either a distracting menace or a tool that can be used in the fight to keep your levels of alertness as focused as possible. By keeping the radio on a low volume, you will give your mind something to focus on that isn’t wandering thoughts and daydreams. Singing along can actually mean that you stay alert where otherwise you would be thinking about your shopping list or a conversation you had with an old friend. Staying alert when driving in bad weather conditions is an essential part of arriving in one piece.
