Adverse Weather Conditions

With the season’s first snowfall behind us, let’s take a closer look at the kinds of adverse weather conditions you can encounter while driving.

These are commonly encountered adverse weather conditions that drivers deal with frequently. So, when you drive in these types of conditions, it is important to remember the following:

• Reduce your speed.
  • Braking distances are directly related to your speed, so slow down during bad weather.
• Increase your following distance.
  • Adverse weather conditions make everything more difficult, so give yourself enough room to make proper decision and avoid a possible crash with the vehicle in front of you.
• Turn on your headlights.
  • You must be able to see, but it’s even more important that other drivers can see you.
  • Use your low-beams. Do not blind other drivers and avoid blinding yourself (heavy snow, fog and rain reflect light).
• Turn on your windshield wipers.
  • When the lights come on during adverse conditions, so do your wipers—it’s Virginia law!
• Do not brake abruptly.
  • Sudden, sharp braking may cause you to hydroplane during heavy rains or lose traction on snow and icy road surfaces.
• Increase your patience.
  • The worse the weather gets, the shorter our patience grows. Take the opposite approach and be patient so you get to your destination safely.
• Drive defensively.
  • Adopt a defensive-minded attitude and be the more courteous driver on the road.

Make it a safe trip during these difficult driving conditions—drive defensively.

Happy driving! Drive Safely!