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Health & Fitness

April Showers Bring…a Lot of Accidents

April Showers Bring…a Lot of Accidents

If you’re like most people, you don’t think much about getting into an accident…until it starts to rain. That’s when the risk of being involved in an auto accident increases significantly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states more than six million collisions occur annually in the United States.  Ten percent of these are due to rainfall, primarily from reduced visibility and slick roads, so we shouldn’t overlook the dangers rain brings during the typically wet month of April.  Following are nine tips to help keep you safe while driving in rainy weather:

  1. Slow down – Slick roads, wet brakes and reduced visibility can all lead to collisions. When roads are wet, drive slowly and increase your following distance, which will give time to stop.  Simply allot more time to travel to your destination.
  2. Turn on your headlights – Laws have been enacted in many states that require your lights be on when using your windshield wipers.  This law improves your visibility and allows others to better see your vehicle in wet conditions.
  3. Turn on your defrosters – When it’s raining, be sure to activate both the front and rear defrosters because condensation can quickly build on your windows, impairing your visibility.
  4. Replace your windshield wipers frequently – Wait no longer than a year to replace your windshield wipers.  Signs that you should switch them include wipers that streak, screech or smear.
  5. Avoid distracted driving – Texting, eating, reading, grooming and everything in between while behind the wheel can have a tragic ending, especially when paired with rainy weather.  Companies like Mercury Insurance are striving to minimize distracted driving by developing initiatives to educate the public about the dangers of distracted.
  6. Hydroplaning?  Don’t panic – If your vehicle begins to hydroplane or skid on a wet road, gently remove your foot from the gas pedal and keep the wheel straight until you regain control.  Never brake suddenly or turn abruptly because this may cause your vehicle to spin out of control.
  7. Skip the cruise control – Using cruise control while driving in the rain can cause your car to accelerate when hydroplaning.  It can also reduce your attentiveness.
  8. Steer clear of standing water – Driving through standing water puts you at a significantly greater risk of hydroplaning, can cause your brakes to malfunction and could impair other drivers’ visibility.
  9. Know when you’re most at risk – Check out dangerous intersections to identify the most hazardous times and roads to drive in Murrieta.  If you can’t avoid driving during these times, at least you’ll raise your awareness and attentiveness, especially when driving in the rain.

 

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Remember, these tips won’t eliminate the risk, but they can help reduce it. And every accident avoided can mean money in your pocket, because when you’re accident free you will save on your auto insurance. Most companies, such as Mercury Insurance, offer accident free savings so it’s a good idea to be a little conservative while driving on rainy days.

 

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Marge Iacangelo

Michael F. Iacangelo & Co Inc 

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