Tips for Driving in Inclement Weather

Car windshield in traffic jam during rain

No matter where you live in the United States, November and December are notoriously known for inclement weather. From snow and rain to sleet and hail, the next few months will surely test even the most experienced drivers. Fortunately, a bit of preparedness goes a long way when it comes to driving in less than perfect weather. Read on for a few driving tips that will keep you safe and your car out of the body shop:

Regularly check your tires to ensure that they are properly inflated to the correct air pressure. This will help your vehicle retain traction on wet and slippery roads.
Whenever you find yourself driving in inclement weather, be sure to leave at least triple the stopping distance you would usually need to avoid a rear-end collision.
If you begin to hydroplane, then do not break or steer. Instead, remove your foot from the accelerator until you feel your tires regain contact with the road.
During a rainstorm, try to stay toward the middle lanes if possible. Water tends to pool in the outside lanes and can increase your chances of hydroplaning.
Never drive through flooded areas. It only takes six inches to reach the bottom of most passenger cars, at which point water may cause your engine to a malfunction or your tires to completely lose traction.
Don’t overdrive your vision. To measure this, see if you can stop before the farthest point on the pavement or asphalt that you can see. If you cannot, then you need to slow down.

While these tips will certainly help you avoid a collision during inclement weather, it’s impossible to avoid accidents altogether. If you are involved in an automobile accident, then visit Michael J’s Body Shop, San Jose’s preferred auto body repair shop for over 20 years. To learn more about our collision repair services, contact us online or call 408-279-2070.