When It’s Cold AND Raining, How To Avoid A New Haven Auto Accident

There’s no denying this has been a very unusual winter in New England.  With no snow and temperatures upwards of 50 degrees in February it’s been one of the more hard to figure out winters of the last couple of decades.  This is good news for those hoping to avoid a New Haven auto accident that might have been caused by slick roads covered in snow, but let’s not let our guard down.  The warmer then usual weather presents other problems that may not arise from cold, snowy conditions, but that could be equally dangerous to drivers on our roads.

When the weather is warmer than normal, it often fluctuates from warm to cold very quickly.  For instance, one recent day in February had a high temperature in the 50s and a low temperature in the 20s.  This drastic change in temperature can dramatically change the driving conditions and leave drivers confused and uncertain about the best way to drive their car safely.  This is particularly true when it is raining.  Cold weather rain is one of the most dangerous conditions you can travel in because of the uncertainty that comes with it.  When it is 40 degrees and raining, it is not too cold, but if the temperature drops a few degrees that rain can easily turn into sleet and become a problem.

As driving conditions change, so too, must how you approach driving in that type of weather.  That is why it is so important to follow some of the tips below so you can get to your destination safely.

1.) Turn on your lights.  Driving with your headlights on, especially when conditions are gray and rainy, will make you more visible to on-coming traffic.  If you can be seen, you can be avoided, if not you may get into an accident which could lead to an injury or worse.  Even if you are traveling during the day, you should keep your lights on so cars can see you and stay safe.

2.) Keep a safe distance from cars in front of you.  When you are traveling behind a vehicle and the weather conditions are uncertain you will want to keep a large following distance so you can have plenty of time to come to a complete stop should the traffic conditions necessitate that.  If you are tailgating a car ahead of you, you will not have the proper amount of time to stop and you could cause an accident.

3.) Your speed should change with the changing weather conditions.  If you are following the speed limit and then it starts to rain you will want to lower your speed while driving in the rain, especially cold weather rain.  Slowing down can put you into a situation where you can control your vehicle better even if it is raining and turns icy all of a sudden.  If you are speeding down the street you could get yourself or someone else injured.

Whether the weather is cold and snowy or cold and rainy or something in between there are risks associated with driving that could get you into a New Haven auto accident, but you can mitigate these risks.  Follow the steps outlined above to be safe when you’re behind the wheel and arrive to your destination without getting injured or worse killed.

Regardless of your circumstances, injuries happen and may need to be addressed through insurance companies.  Our experienced team of attorneys can review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.