As we all know, severe weather season is not over yet. This is especially true in places, like Texas and the other Gulf Coast states, where this year’s severe weather season has been abnormally awful. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the American Red Cross, there are ways to increase your safety. Read on for tips on how to drive safely in severe weather.
As we all know, severe weather season is not over yet. This is especially true in places, like Texas and the other Gulf Coast states, where this year’s severe weather season has been abnormally awful. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the American Red Cross, there are ways to increase your safety. Read on for tips on how to drive safely in severe weather.
The most obvious advice comes from Corporal John Gonzalez of the DPS, “If you don’t have to get out, don’t get out.” In other words, stay home where it’s safe. Sometimes, that’s just impossible. In those instances, Corporal Gonzalez’ best advice is to slow down.
He said, “If you have to be out and you are about where there is bad weather, we would encourage you, again, the basic [advice] of slowing down.”
Proper vehicle maintenance plays a huge part in traveling safely during severe weather. Corporal Gonzalez has some words of wisdom on this topic, too. “Make sure your windshield wipers are operative, your defroster [works], the [tire] air pressures [are] proper in your vehicle, because tires do save your life, low [pressured] tires could cause you to hydroplane very easily.”
Hailstorms and visibility changes are also huge safety threats when on the road. Corporal Gonzalez offered the following advice for those situations.
If visibility is poor, he said the best thing to do is “pull completely off the shoulder as far as you can if practicable. And if it’s safe to do so and without causing interference with you getting stuck or anything, [move] into the bar ditch, move as far away from the roadway, because if you can’t see, people can’t see you as well.”
When faced with hail storms (especially some of the mighty and amazing storms Texas has experienced this season), the Corporal said, “Stop, let it pass. Worst case scenario, you get some busted windshields, but it’s safer in that position than trying to drive down the roadway with it busting your windshield.”
The American Red Cross also had some good information to share for those traveling in severe weather. They suggest checking the forecast for the route you’re traveling; sometimes, this will help you avoid those areas entirely. At other times, you’ll at least know what to expect. Part of this involves knowing the radio stations along your route. Summer storms often pop up with little or no warning, even if the forecast was clear. Tuning into local radio stations for updates may just save your life.
While this next one sounds more applicable to longer travel, it never hurts to be prepared even if you’re only going to work or the grocery store. Make sure you have a Disaster Supplies Kit in your vehicle. These kits typically include:
- Water;
- First aid kit;
- High-protein (non-perishable) snacks;
- A small, battery-powered radio;
- Flashlight;
- Extra prescription medications;
- Emergency contact card with important names and phone numbers;
- Any other important documents.
Building on Corporal Gonzalez’ advice, the Red Cross suggests turning on your headlights and getting off the road as soon as possible if you’re hit by a storm. Park somewhere safe and activate your emergency flashers so other drivers may be able to see you. Don’t touch electrically-conductive materials, such as metal, if lightning is present. This goes for materials inside as well as outside of your vehicle.
What about the dreaded tornado? The Red Cross advises getting off the road if flying debris is present. At that point, you have the following choices, depending on your situation:
- Get out of the vehicle and get to a point that is lower than the road, such as a ditch. Lie face down and cover your head with your hands;
- Stay in your vehicle. Keep your seat belts fastened and get your head below the windows. Cover your head with your hands and, if you have one (hint: you should!), a blanket.
Another good piece of advice is this:
Turn around, don’t drown!
If there’s water over the surface of the road, don’t be a hero and think you can drive through it. You don’t know how deep it is and people have died thinking they could make it through.
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