Transcript WEATHER CONDITIONS

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Minimizing Risk in Rain and Snow&
Other Hazardous Weather Conditions
Managing Visibility, Time
and Space
• Rain and snow decrease your ability to see
ahead, to the sides, and to the rear.
• Decreased visibility makes it more difficult
to judge distances and manage time & space
• Bad weather also makes it more difficult to
see other drivers and pedestrians.
STEPS TO CONTROL RISK
Prepare in advance
Make sure that tires are
properly inflated and that
the tread is okay.
Check the headlights,
windshield wipers,
defroster and other
equipment ensuring that
they are in good working
condition.
Tracking your fellow drivers
• Drive slowly and
leave extra space
between your vehicles
and other vehicles.
• On wet pavement
drive in the tracks of
the vehicle ahead of
you. It provides better
traction.
LET EM’ KNOW :)
• Give drivers plenty of
advance notice when
you intend to slow
down or turn.
• Be ALERT!!!
• Do not assume that
others will give you
that same courtesy.
LOW BEAMS!!!!!
• It’s important to keep
your low beams on in
inclement conditions.
• This will make your
vehicle visible to other
drivers and
pedestrians.
If it becomes UNBEARABLE
• Pull your car off the
side of the road in a
protected area and
wait for conditions to
improve.
• Put your hazard lights
on to ensure that you
will be seen by other
motorists.
HYDROPLANING
• During the 1st 15 minutes
of rainfall, the roads are at
their slickest.
• Rain mixes with dirt and
oil from the road forming
a slippery film.
• This greatly reduces the
ability of your tires to grip
the road.
HYDROPLANING
• The vehicle’s tires may completely lose contact with the
road and be moving on a thin film of water.
• To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, you should reduce
speed by about 1/3 when driving on wet roadways.
FOG OR SMOG
• Dense fog poses hazards as it reduces visibility.
• Windshield wipers and the defogger become necessary to
combat this condition.
• Low beam headlights are essential when driving, and
emergency flashers should ONLY be used when you have
pulled over on the side of the road and NOT in motion.
Fog or Smog
Managing time and space by increasing your following
distance is imperative when driving in fog or smog.
If it becomes too dense, find a safe spot to pull off the road
and wait for conditions to improve.
Sand and Dust
• Sand and dust pose a problem in certain areas of the
country causing visibility issues for drivers.
• Proceed with caution, increase your following distance, or
pull off the road if conditions become undriveable.
WIND
• In windy conditions, reduce speed and grip the steering
wheel tightly to maintain control.
• Also, beware of larger vehicles passing your vehicle.
These vehicles can produce blasts of air that can affect
your vehicle.