• by Montgomery Miller
•  March 15th, 2019

Wet Weather

Spring weather can be a little unpredictable. Add to that the fact that we’re in Texas and Spring weather is flat out mystifying. Chances are, it’s going to be rainy, windy and cold one day; sunny and warm the next. The wild swings in weather can be rough on that special vehicle you’re driving but fear not; there are steps you can take get ready.

Keeping a full gas tank is a good first step in staying prepared for unexpected bad weather. Keep your insurance information handy in your vehicle and brush up on your coverage. Regardless of the age and condition of your vehicle, roadside assistance should be included in your coverage, and it’s always helpful to have that phone number pre-programmed into your phone.

Have you got a spare tire? These days, many luxury cars and SUVs do not have a spare. My Acura RDX has a tire-inflator stored in the space originally designated for a spare tire. I highly recommend learning how to use it if you have one of these. You may never need to use a roadside emergency kit but having one that includes jumper cables, reflectors and emergency flares may come in handy when you least expect it.

Regular service for your vehicle such as oil changes, checking the air in your tires and inspecting your tires thoroughly before road trips, may prevent stressful or even dangerous situations from interrupting your road trip. Nothing interferes with your visibility more than worn out windshield wipers in heavy rain; except, that is, a poorly functioning defroster. Good visibility is critical to safe driving in poor weather conditions. Keep your cell phone fully charged at all times and always have a charging cable in your vehicle. We all have that friend who is constantly saying, “My phone is about to die.” Don’t be one of those!

Here in Texas, it pays to check weather reports and storm warnings daily as weather conditions can change fast around here. If local and state officials say it’s a bad idea to be out on the road, then stay off the road. If you must get out on the road, knowing what weather is expected during the day can be a life-saver. Keeping a spare umbrella in the trunk can come in handy if your vehicle is disabled in bad weather. If you do break down, pull as far to the right as safety allows, immediately turn on your emergency blinkers, stay inside the vehicle and call 911.

If you are out on the road in heavy rain, make sure your headlights are on low beams, slow down and stay as close to the crown (usually the center of the road) of the road if it’s safe to do so. Avoid standing water which typically occurs on the lowest part of the road. Sudden contact at high speeds with standing water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Never enter a flooded roadway. It may look like it’s just a few inches deep when in fact it may be much deeper causing your vehicle to stall.

We all get in a rush at times and bad weather can make us even more anxious. Be patient, don’t rush and don’t tailgate. You have no idea what the driver ahead of you may encounter causing them to suddenly hit their breaks without warning. Keeping some distance between you and everyone else is always a good practice, especially in severe weather.

Be aware, that during the first few hours of heavy rain following a dry period, oil and fuel residue that may have collected on the pavement will percolate to the surface making for an extra slippery road. The best policy, especially when bad weather hits suddenly, as it can here in Texas, is to reduce speed gradually and avoid hard breaking that might surprise the drivers behind you and possibly cause your vehicle to lose traction.

A sudden freeze overnight can produce black ice that is difficult to spot and impossible to navigate at even moderate speeds. Be vigilant. If conditions are right for black ice, approach the road with extreme caution. Test your breaks lightly to verify traction. If you do encounter black ice, do not break suddenly. Instead, reduce speed slowly by gradually taking your foot off the gas. If you do slide off of the road, immediately turn on your flashing emergency blinkers and call 911 to notify authorities of your location. Remain inside your vehicle until help arrives. Remember, during reduced visibility other vehicles may not be able to see you standing outside your vehicle.

Here are some additional tips from AAA for driving in wet weather.

Fatigue and bad weather can be a deadly combination. Be sure you are well-rested before getting on the road in inclement weather. Never use a handheld device while driving, especially in stormy weather conditions. Before contacting police, your insurance company or a loved one, pull over safely to the side of the road completely out of traffic, engage your emergency blinkers and stay safely inside your vehicle.

Stay safe. Drive defensively. Have a safe drive.