Storm & Traffic Center
THUNDERSTORMS POSE A SERIOUS CAR CRASH RISK SAYS AAA MID-ATLANTIC
Motorists Are Reminded To Keep Vehicles Maintained And Exercise Caution For This Type of Severe Weather
Midway through the summer driving season, motorists have undoubtedly learned to cope with the extreme heat. However, with the extreme summer heat comes another issue motorists never quite seem prepared to deal with – thunderstorms.
Summertime is prime season for thunderstorms. High humidity and rapidly rising warm temperatures create a mass of warm, moist air rising into the atmosphere, where a thunderstorm is likely to form.
“Thunderstorms pose a severe summer car crash risk, causing poor visibility, intense lightening strikes, increased winds, hail and flash flooding,” said Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Although most weather forecasts alert us when conditions are prime for thunderstorms, these storms often maintain the element of surprise, which increases the chance of motorists being on the road when thunderstorms pop up. Just as motorists prepare for hazardous winter driving conditions, they should be prepared and know what to do if caught driving in a summer thunderstorm.”
The best solution during a thunderstorm is to monitor weather conditions carefully and, if possible, avoid being on the road. However, if you are caught out on the road during a thunderstorm, here are some tips to keep you safe.
Vehicle Maintenance Tips BEFORE a Thunderstorm Hits
- Replace windshield wiper blades yearly to ensure good visibility during inclement weather. Also, keep your windows and windshield clean, as well as the inside of your windshield.
- Check your tire pressure and tread. Over or under inflated tires can be dangerous, and balding tires do not provide good traction (especially in wet road conditions).
- Emergency Kit – Have a kit packed in your car at all times in case you become trapped and need water, flashers, blankets, jumper cables, tire compressor, wiper fluid, kitty litter and a shovel (to help with traction on muddy, slippery roads or inclines), etc.
Safety Tips for Driving in Thunderstorms
- Slow Down – When road conditions become wet, slow down, don’t make sudden moves and leave a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Do not use cruise control as the chance of losing control of your vehicle increases – Ifyou begin to experience a skid, the system may interpret the skid-induced reduction in speed as a need to apply more engine power, making it harder to recover from a skid.
- Headlights –Put them on at the first sign of darkness or decreased visibility. In Maryland, and many other states, it is the law to turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on.
- Hazards – Turn in your hazard lights to indicate to other drivers that upcoming road conditions are severe.
- Pull Over – Blinding rain can make visibility next to impossible, slowly pull over to a safe place on the side of the road or parking lot until the storm passes to avoid hitting another car, bicyclist or pedestrian.
- Radio – Listen to local weather reports to track fast-moving storms.
- Avoid Puddles – Because rain can be intense, puddles can form quickly and there’s no telling just how deep they are, so it’s best to avoid them.
- Brake Slowly – Avoid slamming on the brakes, as this may cause your car to hydroplane.
- STAY ALERT – Get rid of distractions, such as music and cell phones, so you can concentrate on driving.
AAA Mid-Atlantic is based in Wilmington, Del., and serves nearly four million members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with personal insurance, financial, automotive and travel services through 53 retail branches, regional operations centers and the Internet, at www.aaa.com/community.