Practical Answers for Everyday Independence

Driving Safely in Rain, Snow & Poor Weather – QG

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ategory: Quick Guide / Transportation

⚡ Driving Safely in Rain, Snow & Poor Weather

Poor weather reduces visibility, traction, and the time available to react. The safest decision may be to delay the trip.

If you must drive, slow down, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden steering, braking, or acceleration.

Before You Leave

Check:

  • Weather forecast
  • Road conditions
  • Emergency alerts
  • Traffic and road closures
  • Condition of your tires
  • Windshield wipers
  • Headlights and taillights
  • Fuel or battery charge
  • Windshield-washer fluid
  • Vehicle emergency kit

Clear the entire windshield, all windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights, and vehicle roof.

Do not drive with only a small opening cleared in the windshield.

Decide Whether the Trip Is Safe

Consider delaying or canceling if:

  • Officials advise people to stay off the roads.
  • Roads are closed.
  • Snow, ice, flooding, or fog severely limits travel.
  • You cannot see clearly.
  • Your tires or wipers are in poor condition.
  • The vehicle has a warning light or mechanical problem.
  • You do not feel confident driving in the conditions.
  • You do not have a safe route or backup plan.

Being late is better than driving into unsafe conditions.

Rules for Any Poor Weather

  • Slow down.
  • Leave additional following distance.
  • Turn on the headlights.
  • Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
  • Make smooth steering and braking movements.
  • Avoid sudden acceleration.
  • Stay off your phone.
  • Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and stopped vehicles.
  • Expect the trip to take longer.
  • Pull over safely if visibility becomes too poor.

Do not use cruise control on wet, snowy, or icy roads. You need direct control of the vehicle’s speed.

Helpful Resources: Browse Weather & Comfort Supplies for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Driving in Rain

Rain can make roads slippery and reduce visibility.

While driving:

  • Turn on the headlights and wipers.
  • Reduce speed.
  • Leave more space behind other vehicles.
  • Avoid large puddles.
  • Brake earlier and more gently.
  • Keep distance from trucks that create heavy spray.
  • Watch for standing water.
  • Avoid flooded roads.

Roads may be especially slippery when rain first begins because water mixes with oil and dirt on the pavement.

Helpful Resources: Browse Rain & Wet Weather for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

If the Vehicle Hydroplanes

Hydroplaning happens when the tires ride on water instead of maintaining contact with the road.

If the vehicle begins sliding on water:

  1. Remain calm.
  2. Ease off the accelerator.
  3. Keep the steering wheel pointed where you want to go.
  4. Avoid sudden braking.
  5. Avoid sharp turns.
  6. Wait for the tires to regain contact.

Do not accelerate or make a sudden steering correction.

Never Drive Through Floodwater

Do not drive around barricades or into water covering a road.

Water may:

  • Be deeper than it looks
  • Hide a washed-out road
  • Cause the vehicle to float
  • Stall the engine
  • Damage electrical systems
  • Move quickly enough to carry the vehicle away

Turn around and choose another route.

If rising water surrounds your vehicle and creates immediate danger, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Driving in Snow

Before moving:

  • Clear snow from the roof.
  • Clear all windows and mirrors.
  • Clear headlights and taillights.
  • Remove snow around the wheels.
  • Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear.

While driving:

  • Accelerate slowly.
  • Brake gently.
  • Increase following distance.
  • Reduce speed before turns.
  • Avoid unnecessary lane changes.
  • Watch for snowplows.
  • Expect bridges and ramps to be slippery.
  • Do not stop on a steep hill unless necessary.

Do not pass a snowplow unless it is legal, clearly safe, and visibility is good. Conditions are often worse ahead of the plow.

Driving on Ice

Ice may be difficult to see. Shaded roads, bridges, overpasses, ramps, and areas near water may freeze before other surfaces.

If ice is possible:

  • Reduce speed before reaching the area.
  • Avoid sudden braking.
  • Avoid sharp steering.
  • Leave much more following distance.
  • Do not use cruise control.
  • Assume a shiny or unusually dark area may be slippery.

Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive can help a vehicle accelerate, but they do not make it stop more quickly.

If the Vehicle Skids

If the vehicle begins to skid:

  1. Look where you want the vehicle to go.
  2. Ease off the accelerator.
  3. Avoid slamming on the brakes.
  4. Steer smoothly in the intended direction.
  5. Avoid overcorrecting.
  6. Allow the tires to regain traction.

Different vehicles and braking systems may respond differently. Follow the owner’s manual and any instructions provided during driver training.

Driving in Fog

Fog can make vehicles and turns appear suddenly.

  • Slow down.
  • Use low-beam headlights.
  • Use fog lights if the vehicle has them.
  • Increase following distance.
  • Use road markings to guide your position.
  • Keep the windshield clear.
  • Avoid passing.
  • Listen for traffic you cannot see.

Do not use high beams. They can reflect off the fog and make visibility worse.

If you cannot see far enough to drive safely, leave the roadway and stop in a parking lot, rest area, or another location separated from traffic.

Driving in Strong Wind

Strong wind can push vehicles across lanes, especially:

  • Bridges
  • Open roads
  • Areas near large buildings
  • Mountain passes
  • Places where trucks block and suddenly release the wind

While driving:

  • Reduce speed.
  • Keep both hands on the wheel.
  • Leave extra room beside other vehicles.
  • Watch for fallen branches and debris.
  • Be careful when passing trucks.
  • Expect sudden wind when leaving a protected area.

Avoid driving during severe wind warnings when possible.

Driving During Thunderstorms

During a severe thunderstorm:

  • Slow down.
  • Turn on the headlights.
  • Avoid flooded roads.
  • Watch for fallen trees and power lines.
  • Do not stop under a tree.
  • Remain inside the vehicle if lightning is nearby.
  • Find a safe building or parking area if conditions become severe.

Never touch or drive over a fallen power line. Stay inside the vehicle and call 911 if a power line falls onto or near it.

If Visibility Becomes Too Poor

Do not stop in an active traffic lane.

Look for:

  • Parking lot
  • Rest area
  • Highway exit
  • Service area
  • Side street
  • Other location separated from traffic

After stopping:

  • Shift into park.
  • Set the parking brake.
  • Stay away from moving traffic.
  • Monitor weather and road alerts.
  • Tell someone where you are.
  • Wait until conditions improve.

A highway shoulder should be used only when you cannot reach a safer location.

If You Become Stranded in Snow

If the vehicle is safely off the road:

  • Call for help.
  • Tell someone your location.
  • Stay with the vehicle unless a safe building is very close.
  • Keep the hazard lights on.
  • Clear snow from the exhaust pipe.
  • Run the engine only as needed.
  • Open a window slightly when appropriate.
  • Use blankets and extra clothing.
  • Conserve your phone battery.
  • Do not walk into a snowstorm.

A blocked exhaust pipe can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.

If anyone becomes dizzy, nauseated, confused, unusually sleepy, or weak, get fresh air and seek emergency help.

Prepare for Cold-Weather Travel

Keep these items in the vehicle:

  • Phone charger
  • Portable battery pack
  • Flashlight
  • Reflective warning triangles
  • Reflective vest
  • Ice scraper
  • Snow brush
  • Small shovel
  • Blanket
  • Warm clothing
  • Gloves
  • Water
  • Nonperishable snacks
  • Traction material such as sand
  • Jumper cables or portable jump starter
  • Essential medication carried at travel time

Keep the fuel tank reasonably full or the electric vehicle sufficiently charged.

Know When to Stop Driving

Pull over somewhere safe if:

  • You cannot see the road clearly.
  • The vehicle is sliding repeatedly.
  • Snow or rain overwhelms the wipers.
  • Water is rising around the road.
  • Wind makes it difficult to remain in the lane.
  • You are becoming tired or frightened.
  • A warning light appears.
  • The vehicle begins behaving abnormally.

Do not allow pressure from another driver, your schedule, or a passenger to make the decision for you.

Quick Poor-Weather Checklist

  • Check the forecast and road conditions.
  • Delay the trip if authorities recommend staying home.
  • Clear all snow, ice, and fogged glass.
  • Turn on the headlights.
  • Slow down.
  • Increase following distance.
  • Avoid cruise control.
  • Make smooth steering and braking movements.
  • Never drive through floodwater.
  • Use low beams in fog.
  • Move off the road if visibility becomes unsafe.
  • Call for help if you become stranded.

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