The impact of weather conditions Various weather conditions can significantly increase the risk of driving on the road.
Heavy rain, strong winds, high temperatures, and visual impairment may cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle and result in a car accident.
Severe weather conditions have a strong correlation to causing auto accidents, and drivers need to be mindful of this risk.
Drivers should also be cautious before driving on roads during severe weather conditions.
A driver may be better off waiting until a storm has passed to leave home. They may also want to pull over to the side of the road before completing a journey during a thunderstorm, hurricane, or tornado.
What are the Effects of Bad Weather Conditions? Dangerous Weather Conditions Damage Roads and Highways
The US Department of Transportation records severe weather conditions and their effect on roadways and highways.
The following table summarizes the impact of weather conditions on roadways, the flow of traffic, and a driver’s capabilities on the road:
- Weather conditions impact roads and highways
- Traffic flow effects impact on driver’s capabilities
- Temperature and humidity not available not available
- Government duty to provide treatments for roads
- Assessment of construction plans, such as paving
- Strong Winds
- Impaired Vision
- Debris in roadways
- Congested traffic
- Delay in arrival
- Increased risk of auto accidents
- Unstable vehicle
- Inability to control vehicle
- May need to make use of evacuation routes
- Heavy rain
- Impact on pavement friction
- Obstruction of traffic lanes
- Impaired vision
- Delay in travel time
- Increased risk of accidents
- Impact on traffic speed
- Decreased traction
- Inability to control vehicle
- Broken traffic lights
- Failure to control the speed
- May require evacuation routes
- Fog
- Impaired vision and distance perception
- Increased risk of accident
- Delay in travel time
- Impact on traffic speed
- Failure to control the speed
- Inability to perceive cars
- Lack of control over the vehicle
- Pavement Temperature
- Poor traction
- Congested traffic
- Need for alternative routes
- Failure to operate a vehicle
- Stuck vehicle
- Increased risk of accidents
- Duty of government to provide road treatments
- Pavement Conditions
- Change in friction
- Damage to roads and infrastructure
- Travel delays
- Accident risks
- Poor vehicle performance
- Driver may need to choose an alternative route
- Flooding
- Submersion of traffic lanes
- Increased accident risks
- Travel delays
- Inability to control or operate a vehicle
- Driver may require evacuation support
Safety Statistics for Drivers Traveling in Severe Weather Conditions
Over 5,800,000 auto accidents occur in the US every year. About 23 percent of these accidents are caused by severe weather conditions.
The US Department of Transportation reports that about 6,250 people die yearly from weather-related auto accidents.
Over 480,000 people are injured in weather-related crashes every year. Certain weather conditions also account for crashes, and the statistics for over ten years are as follows:
- Wet Pavement: 74 percent of weather-related crashes
- Rain: 46 percent
- Snow: 17 percent
- Ice: 12 percent
- Fog: 3 percent
These car accident statistics indicate how dangerous it can be for drivers to travel on wet roads. Drivers may want to reconsider or postpone a trip until weather conditions have cleared and roads have dried.
Effect of Weather Conditions on Traffic Flow
Severe weather conditions may result in snow, slush, flooding, and debris accumulation inroads. Freeway traffic speeds may also be reduced due to strong winds, snow, and sleet conditions.
Drivers should also be aware that traffic signals may become impaired due to a loss of electricity. Traffic signal impairment may cause significant travel delays.
Precautions Drivers Should Take Before Heading On The Road During Extreme Weather Events
Drivers should stay tuned to Internet, radio, or television traffic reports before traveling in dangerous conditions. A driver must take certain precautions before choosing to drive in dangerous weather conditions.
They may need to travel at slow speeds and should be mindful of the presence of other drivers on the road. In addition, drivers should have phone numbers readily available for roadside assistance services.
If a driver becomes involved in an accident, a roadside assistance service may arrive at the scene to assist the driver. Law enforcement or ambulance services may be unavailable during serious storms, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
Drivers should know of this risk before making their way onto the road.
Speak with Auto Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been involved in a weather-related auto accident, it may be time to speak with an auto accident attorney.
Our Chicago winter auto accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help you during this difficult time. Our lawyers can help you assess all the legal options available.
Call one of our lawyers today to schedule an initial consultation. We don’t charge fees until we win your case.
