Safety tips: Driving in the rain

With a lot of North Texas dealing with main rainfall, flash flood watches and warnings this week, it is a good time to recollect why officers usually urge drivers to “turn around, don’t drown” and keep off the roads as a lot as potential.

According to the National Weather Service, flooding is constantly ranked as the second deadliest climate occasion.

One main danger concerned in flooding is that water can simply sweep a automobile off the highway. According to the NWS, greater than half of all the flooding deaths annually occur in autos.

Water as shallow as 6 inches can stall a automotive. If the water is 1 foot, smaller autos could be swept off the highway. If the highway is flooded between 18 and 24 inches, bigger autos may also be swept off the highway.

Even if the water doesn’t look to be deep, the highway beneath could also be washed away, making driving by the water much more harmful.

If you do get trapped in a automotive, specialists encourage drivers to remain in the automobile if potential. If the water stage is rising, drivers ought to exit the automobile and climb on high of the roof.

If you aren’t going by a flooded space, it is best to nonetheless take it gradual when there’s heavy rain on the highway. Not solely can rain trigger you to hydroplane, however when you come across a flooded highway, will probably be more durable to cease.

Drivers also needs to concentrate on the place they park. If you park close to a stream, dip or different low areas, you could possibly be placing your automobile in danger throughout a flooding occasion.

Drive-Texas.org has an up to date map of roads with hazards like flooding and particles you’ll be able to test for security earlier than heading out the door.

Click right here to test your native radar

The AAA Texas additionally shared these safety tips all drivers ought to concentrate on in periods of heavy rain.

• Don’t attempt to drive on a highway that is coated in water; flip round and discover an alternate route. 
• If you end up in a scenario the place your automotive takes on water, depart the automobile to get to safer, larger floor. 
• Don’t use cruise management. You get much less traction on slick roads. 
• Increase your following distance. You’ll want extra time to react to surrounding site visitors.
• Driver extra slowly to keep away from hydroplaning. AAA Texas says some tires can lose contact with the highway even at 35 mph. 
• If your automobile begins to skid, stay calm. Avoid slamming in your brakes; as a substitute, look and steer in the course you need your automobile to go.
• Turn in your headlights

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And as rainstorms in the Texas spring usually carry an opportunity for tornados, hail and excessive winds, it is essential for drivers to know what to do in these conditions as properly.

The NWS has emphasised that in a extreme thunderstorm or twister folks ought to by no means cease below a bridge or overpass. The company stated a bridge doesn’t supply safety from robust winds. People may also trigger an accident by being stopped below a bridge, the NWS stated.

Weather officers additionally stated bridges and overpasses don’t shield vehicles from tornadic winds or particles. 

Some security suggestions from the NWS Fort Worth embody:

• Seek shelter in a robust, sturdy constructing.
• Stay inside and away from home windows.
• Never cease below a bridge or overpass.

Some tricks to keep secure embody:

• Move to an inside room on the lowest stage of your own home, resembling a closet or rest room. 
• If potential, depart cellular properties to shelter with associates or household in a everlasting constructing. 
• Never cease below a bridge or overpass. 

Remember to download the WFAA app to test one in every of our dozens of native radars close to you in addition to the newest forecast, cameras and present circumstances.