All drivers have to deal with poor weather at some point in Colorado Springs. People often overlook the importance of fine-tuning one’s driving skills. It has been shown that 24% of all collisions occur due to inclement weather in the United States, including rain and ice.

We’re used to driving in bright weather in Colorado Springs, where it’s a commonplace. Many new drivers have licenses, but they’ve never had to cope with the difficulties of driving in bad weather. It is the driver’s responsibility to be aware of the road conditions and be able to adapt their driving accordingly.

Please let us know in the comments box below if you have any questions or comments. Detailed explanations of certain weather conditions are available on the Arrive Alive website. A few broad guidelines for safe driving in these tricky situations are discussed below.

Unique problems on the road due to adverse weather conditions

• Conditions resulting from changes in the weather that need extra attention and a rethink of regular driving habits are referred to as adverse weather conditions.
• The driver’s visibility and ability to safely steer or apply the brakes to the car are reduced by these circumstances.
• Driving in rain, flooding, snow, fog and mist, hail storms, veld and forest fire smoke, strong winds, and very cold or hot temperatures are all examples of dangerous driving conditions.
• Drivers may face special difficulties under these circumstances, which we must acknowledge. Reduced sight, less steering precision, decreased grip, and a longer stopping distance are just a few of the consequences.

For motorists to remain safe on the road during severe weather, they must have specialized abilities.

• When driving on wet roads, tires might hydroplane (skim on a thin layer of water).
• In addition to reducing steering control, wind may cause drivers issues.
• This is particularly true for recreational vehicles and those pulling trailers.
• Motorcyclists and cars with high sides are especially susceptible to high winds.
• Crosswinds may cause an automobile to swerve, particularly SUVs and vans.

As you cross a culvert or bridge or drive through mountain passes and ravines, sudden gusts of wind may pose a particular danger.

When a heavy vehicle or bus passes you, you may feel a little breeze.

• It’s not only a matter of how well you can steer and manage the car; the difficulties you face also affect your awareness of the surrounding environment and other vehicles and things.
• When driving behind a truck carrying products, a motorist must exercise extra caution since the spray they produce lowers the driver’s sight. If you can see their reflections, keeping your distance is advisable.
• Debris is falling from the sky, and cars diverting across the road to escape it may be more common in bad weather and high winds.
• Stalling or damaging your tires when driving through surface water is possible.
• There must be a greater awareness of vulnerable road users such as walkers, cyclists, and motorcyclists and the need to give them more room.
• Perhaps they’re just as concerned about getting stuck in the mud and slippery conditions as you are.
• It is better to avoid driving beneath trees that might fall on your car.
• The roadside should also be kept in mind, where fences may be down, and animals may be lurking.
• Be on the lookout for and stay away from fallen power lines in the event of inclement weather.

Because of the suddenness and density, driving through smoke from forest or brush fires is risky.

It is possible that some drivers are not utilizing their headlights to follow the rules, preferring instead to avoid passing when visibility is poor.

When driving in inclement weather, there are a few things to remember.

We may choose to either face these hazardous driving circumstances or avoid them if rapid changes in the weather do not catch us off guard. In dangerously poor weather, the safest course of action is to stay off the roads entirely.

Even if you’re a seasoned driver with a top-notch car, the best course of action on a rainy day is to remain home and wait for the conditions to improve. You should avoid driving if feasible if an intense weather storm passes through your region.

To go where you need to go, you must prepare ahead! Driving in inclement weather may be both time-consuming and frustrating.

If you don’t give yourself enough time to get to your location, you’ll be more stressed, and your driving will suffer. You will be better prepared to deal with adverse events if you plan for severe weather and the challenges it may bring.

Tips for Driving Safely in Poor Weather and Low Visibility.

Driver Fitness and Weather-Related Driving Safety

Extreme weather may strain even the most seasoned drivers; thus, they must remain physically fit and healthy.

• Be on the lookout for possible hazards in bad weather, and use all your senses.
• The driver must have clear eyesight, so be sure you can see!
• If you can’t see a safe distance in front of you, don’t try to drive.
• You should be able to hear traffic even if you can’t see it.
• Keep the radio volume down and avoid other driving distraction sources.
• Keep the car sufficiently ventilated to avoid driver tiredness.
• You’ll need all your focus when driving in harsh weather, so don’t drive unless you’re rested.
• Driving in Stormy Weather and Keeping Your Vehicle in Top Shape

Driving in adverse weather requires a well-equipped car to withstand the elements and not break down!

As a general rule, we recommend doing a thorough pre-trip check that includes the following:

• Inspect the vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluid, and lights, as well as do a visual assessment.
• Make that the wiper blades are in good condition and can clean the windshield properly.
• Investing in a good pair of windshield wipers is a modest investment to pay for the protection of you, your family, and others.
• Keep an eye on the spare tire.
• The tread on your tires is crucial, particularly on slick roads, since it allows you to abruptly slow down and stop.
• Watch out for under or over-inflated tires that might cause a loss of grip.
• The battery, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, and headlights should be checked.

If you’re traveling in inclement weather, make sure your lights are working properly, and your license plate is visible so you can be seen.

Make Yourself Known To avoid an accident, it is important to be visible and always be able to see in front of you, regardless of the weather conditions outside your car.

• Ensure that all mirrors and windows have been completely cleaned and demisted.
• Warning lights and temperature gauges should be checked often when driving during hot weather.
• If your trip is delayed, be sure you have adequate gas in your tank.
• Preparedness in the event of inclement weather when driving

There are a few simple things you can do to be ready for a bad-weather trip after you’re confident in your driving abilities and your vehicle’s condition:

When driving, pay attention to weather and road conditions on the radio/TV and respect any cautions or notifications you receive.

• No matter how large your vehicle is, do not try to cross a river crossing when the road has been blocked!
• Be prepared! – Make sure you and your passengers are always buckled up in your vehicle. Not only is it required by law, but it may also save lives, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
• You’ll want to be on the lookout for signs warning of bad weather—fixed ones like those indicating exposure to strong winds and changeable ones like those on highways warning of fog or snow, which may also show temporary speed limitations.
• In the case of urgent travel, advise your loved ones of your arrival time (ETA) and bring a cell phone with you.
• You never know when you’ll need to call for assistance, so make sure your phone is charged, and you have a vehicle charger on hand.
• If you cannot continue your journey, you should be prepared to leave the road.

You’ll want to be ready if you’re ever trapped in the cold or the snow. Prepare an emergency kit for your trip ahead of time, whether you purchase it or make it yourself. Among the possible items on this list are: blankets, high visibility jackets, and flashlights or torches with batteries.

 Water, high-calorie snacks including fruit bars, granola bars, almonds, and other high-calorie meals

A shovel, additional clothes, and even pieces of carpet to lay under your tires if your vehicle gets stuck are good ideas if you have the room and will be driving in snow.

A first-aid kit, battery jump leads, a GPS gadget or map, and a towing rope is all good ideas.

Techniques for safe driving in inclement weather

As soon as you find yourself in severe weather, it’s critical to adopt these safe driving practices:

• When driving at night, make sure your headlights are on. Show Up!
• For your safety, the authorities have posted this notice on the roads and in the traffic.
• Drive defensively and with awareness.
• Be aware of the fact that the road conditions might change in a short period.
• In a sudden emergency, give yourself plenty of room and time to respond safely and get away from danger.
• Increase your following distance – Remain behind the driver in front since stopping distances on wet roads might be 10 times longer.
• Take it easy. On slick roads, braking is more difficult since it takes longer for you to retain control and stop your car.
• If you are driving in an area with poor visibility, avoid coming to a full stop on the road surface to avoid endangering other cars.
• Be aware that drivers prefer to follow the tail lights of cars in front of them in poor visibility situations.
• When approaching junctions, take extra care. The green light or the right of way does not guarantee that the junction will be clean; constantly scan ahead to look for any dangers before arriving.
• Limit the number of times you need to change lanes.
• Keep your hands and eyes on the road at all times when driving.
• Be on the lookout for suspicious activity by constantly monitoring the surroundings.
• While the roads are ice, use great caution when driving. Avoid taking rash or erratic acts that might lead to losing control.
• Drive extremely slowly on curves, where a loss of control is more possible. • Accelerate and stop very softly.
• Progressively apply the brakes as you approach a curve. Having slowed down, avoid making any unexpected movements as you navigate around the turn.
• Don’t be afraid to remain there if you’re caught in a storm or snowstorm and can’t find a way out. Be cautious around elevated buildings, including bridges and highway overpasses, since they tend to freeze first. In a storm, it’s easy to become disoriented and confused.
• Activate the emergency flashers and stay in your vehicle until the weather improves or you get assistance.
• The exhaust pipe should be clean of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while stranded in the snow.
• Don’t try to open the radiator cap or pour water on a hot radiator or engine if you’re experiencing troubles while driving in excessive heat. You need to let your engine cool down for a reasonable period.
• Avoid leaving children or pets in a hot vehicle, even if it’s parked.

How to prevent a collision in the event of an emergency

Drivers who practice defensive driving are prepared for the worst-case scenario and know exactly what to do in an emergency. Knowing what to do in an emergency might help a driver maintain vehicle control. What information do we need to have on hand during a skid on slick roads?

• It might be a mix of factors, such as excessive braking, oversteering, or over acceleration.
• Gently and easily eliminate the root of the problem.
• Your car won’t slide when you brake if it has anti-lock brakes (ABS). Keep your foot on the brake and steer around the object that prompted you to brake if you have triggered ABS.
• If your car does not have ABS and begins to skid on the brakes, press the brake pedal extremely quickly (Cadence Braking) and steer around the problem.
• If your car slides and slews sideways, turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease off the throttle simultaneously.
• Avoid excessive steering correction to avoid overcorrection.
• Always keep your eyes on the road ahead and steer toward your destination. Keep your gaze fixed on the desired destination.
• Make sure you’re prepared for an additional skid.

We want to instill a sense of awareness among drivers, both of their behavior and that of others, as well as their immediate surroundings. Put some space between you and a car or truck that seems to be traveling too fast for the circumstances.

You must keep an eye out for cars approaching from behind and possible hazards alongside you while also deciding how to respond if another driver loses control of their vehicle.

If you can’t prevent a collision, you may have to take the least bad option. To make split-second judgments regarding the safest area to direct your car in an emergency, you need to be aware of things like concrete on your left and a steep ditch on your right or a forest straight off the road.

Conclusion

We hope that more people will be able to make sound judgments about their safety while driving. We are better equipped to avoid and decrease road accidents if we understand road safety better. Safe driving experts from across the globe will continue to be sought out and shared in our efforts to make our roads safer!

Bad Weather-Involved Car Accidents in Colorado Springs

Because of the unpredictable nature of the climate, roads in Colorado Springs may be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of inclement weather. A beautiful, clear day might turn into a violent thunderstorm with golf ball-sized hail in the afternoon.

The weather in Colorado Springs may be unpredictable, making it difficult for drivers to plan on any given day. In an automobile accident in Colorado Springs involving inclement weather, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you assess if you are entitled to compensation.

How Do You Prove That Bad Weather Is to Blame for an Accident?

It may be possible to determine whether an accident was caused by poor weather by looking at the debris, floodwater, or destroyed fences left behind by harsh weather.

Hail damage to houses and cars in Colorado Springs and elsewhere is evidence of the severity of the storms. An expert attorney can help identify the best way to gather evidence to support the claim that adverse weather was the cause of an accident.

Identifying the Problem

Even if an at-fault driver is found to be at fault, his or her insurance company may try to establish that the other driver was not at fault. To be sure, insurers can look into whether or not weather conditions played a role in the accident. Still, in many cases, they often claim that bad weather absolves their insured driver’s negligence.

Even if another vehicle was involved in a car accident, a lawyer must thoroughly investigate the evidence and circumstances to determine who is responsible. Immediately after an accident, a competent attorney will thoroughly investigate the injured driver’s insurance company, their policy limitations, and if they have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. A lawyer might use this information to assess the personal injury and property damage if no other vehicle was involved.

Damages That Can Be Repaired

If you’re in a car accident because of bad weather in Colorado Springs, you may be eligible to get compensation for your financial losses and pain and suffering.

Compensation for property loss, medical expenses, and time away from work while recovering are all examples of economic damages. Emotional losses can include mental distress or a worse quality of life when a claimant has an injury that prevents them from doing what they like.

Why Do People Get Into Accidents Because of the Weather?

This might avert an automobile accident if you know the warning signals of a weather-related mishap. Warning indicators for drivers to look out for include their car losing grip on the roadway.

They may lose control and slip into something or another vehicle. It is also important to pull over when visibility is impeded by weather conditions such as snow or rain since these conditions might make it difficult for drivers to see.

To avoid automobile accidents caused by harmful weather conditions, Colorado Springs drivers should ensure that their tires are properly inflated and check the quantity and kind of fluids in their vehicle.

Car scrapers, emergency kits, jumper cables, and driving cautiously at or below the prescribed speed limit may help motorists avoid accidents caused by bad road conditions and other factors beyond their control.

Consult a lawyer about car accidents in Colorado Springs caused by bad weather.

If you were engaged in an accident caused by bad weather, an attorney might be able to assist. A lawyer might examine the site of your car accident and the facts of your case.

A lawyer might also study any relevant documents, police reports, and witness testimonies and engage an expert to conduct a scene analysis of how weather conditions influenced the drivers involved in the collision.

A knowledgeable legal team member can answer any questions you have concerning a Colorado Springs vehicle accident caused by inclement weather.