What to do when driving in stormy weather
When facing stormy weather conditions while driving, plan ahead and stay alert to changing conditions.
Take proactive measures
Stay informed. Check weather forecasts on potential severe weather alerts.
Plan ahead. Before leaving, check road and traffic conditions. Plan your route carefully and avoid areas with weather-related risks if possible.
Prepare an emergency kit. Pack essentials items like a flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, bottled water, blankets and, most importantly, a fully charged phone.
Take safety measures
If bad weather hits, slow down. Reducing your speed minimizes the risk of skidding or losing control on slick roads. Driving more slowly also gives you more time to react to sudden changes in road conditions
Use your headlights. Turning on your lights increases your visibility.
Watch out for pedestrians. Stormy weather creates hard-to-see conditions with low visibility, so be on the lookout for pedestrians.
Stay calm and pull over if necessary. If conditions get too severe, pull over. Park away from trees, power lines, or other structures that can be a potential hazard in high wind situations.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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6/2023