Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on November 18, 2015
Columbia Police Warn Drivers of Poor Road Conditions Due to Bad Weather
After heavy rainfall saturated roadways in Maury County, the Columbia Police Department placed a large caution sign and a police car with flashing lights on Highway 43 near Industrial Park Road to remind drivers to slow down and exercise caution during their commutes.
A report by wkrn.com says that the CPD also posted a warning on its Facebook page on Tuesday night to remind drivers about the dangers of that stretch of road—especially when it is wet after a recent rainstorm.
The stretch of road on Highway 43 has been the sight of nearly 50 crashes since 2013, and 40 of those accidents occurred when the road was wet.
After eight crashes occurred during a recent two-day period that saw rainfall in the area, the CPD chief told reporters that cars are losing traction because that road’s surface gets wet and doesn’t have enough friction for tires to effectively grip the road.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is planning on installing temporary improvements in that location to reduce the number of accidents starting in February 2016.
Tips for Staying Safe when Driving in Inclement Weather
Driving in bad weather can significantly increase your risk of being involved in an auto accident—especially if other drivers aren’t prepared for changes in road conditions and driving behaviors necessary to stay safe. While you can’t control the behavior of other motorists, you can control your own approach to driving in bad weather.
To reduce your likelihood of being involved in an accident due to rain, snow, sleet, ice, or fog, do your best to follow the tips below:
The posted speed limits on roads generally don’t take into account the reduced traction and dangerous conditions caused by bad weather. That’s why it’s important to reduce your speed to a level appropriate for the conditions you’re driving in. It’s important to slow down by around five to 10 miles per hour when driving in light to moderate rainfall, but heavy rainfall, heavy fog, or heavy ice accumulations often require significantly reduced speeds in order for drivers to stay safe.
Brakes have a tendency to lock up or become less effective when surface of the road is slippery due to water, ice, or snow. If you’re driving in weather conditions that reduce your vehicle’s traction, anticipate when you will need to stop and take your foot off the gas and begin coasting before you approach the upcoming turn, red light, or stop sign. You should also put plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to stop suddenly due to an emergency.
Heavy fog, heavy snow, and heavy rainfall can all make it both more difficult for you to see the road ahead and also make it more difficult for other drivers to see your vehicle. Always turn on your headlights when driving in bad weather conditions to both illuminate your vehicle’s path and to make your vehicle more visible on the roadway.
Bad weather can magnify every aspect of driving that puts people at risk. Speeding, driving while distracted, following too closely, and driving without headlights are all dangerous behaviors during normal weather conditions, but they’re even more dangerous when the road is slick or has reduced visibility due to fogs or stormy weather.
The Columbia auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law have handled countless car accident claims over the past 20 years, and we know that many of them are due to negligent drivers who fail to account for bad weather conditions.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by a careless driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form. We’re here to help.
