Has anyone given you any tips in road safety during rainy weather to keep you safe in Florida? If not, read on and find out how to keep safe on one of the most dangerous roads in the U.S. and avoid a Tampa car accident.
Keep in mind that there are several things every driver can do to stay safe on the Florida roads during rainy weather or just after the storm.
Headlights
According to the Florida Statute, a motor vehicle must have its headlights on between twilight and dusk. Headlights must be on during the time between sunset and sunrise, with no exceptions. And more importantly, rain, fog, smoke, or mist conditions require headlights to be turned on. Having your headlights on during rain, storm or any other bad weather conditions is essential. It can keep you and others around your safe from an accident.
Hazard lights
Lights that are marked by a red triangle in your car are called hazard lights. According to the Florida Statute, hazard lights mustn’t be on except when a vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled, and the flashing light can be used to indicate turning left or right to change lanes. While driving in the rain these lights need to be off.
Tires
Having tires that are still in good shape is critical, especially when driving during rain. The tires have been designed to ensure maximum traction even if your car is in several inches of standing water.
If your tires are bald, it’s time to purchase new ones. However, if you’re not sure whether you need to replace the tires or not, do the so-called ‘penny test’.
Place a penny headfirst into several tread grooves across the tire. If you always see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are shallow and worn. If this is the case, your tires need to be replaced.
If part or all of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, it means you probably don’t need new tires.
Windshield wipers
It’s a fact that many of us don’t replace windshield wipers regularly and this can cause problems during rain. In Florida, the sun can cause the rubber part of the wiper to degrade. It’s important to clean the wipers, but also to replace them every six months to a year.
Not having proper wipers can be perceived as negligence that contributed to an accident.
How can a Tampa car accident lawyer help in this case? Call the lawyer immediately after the accident so all the evidence may be preserved. This can play a critical role in proving an injury case.
Dangerous roads
Florida has dangerous roads and when roads aren’t maintained or repaired, over time, they become hazardous and subject to flooding. Potholes, dips, or blocked sewer drains may cause an accident.
If the accident does happen, immediately contact an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer who will explain the next steps.
As Floridians, we are bound to sometimes drive in the rain. There’s nothing we can do to avoid this, but we need to be careful and take precautionary measures such as the ones mentioned above.
However, if a Tampa auto accident occurs due to someone else’s negligence, choose attorney Zohar as your legal representative. He will help you file a car accident lawsuit in Tampa.
Give us a call at (800) 963-3311 and follow the tips to keep safe on the road during rainy weather in Florida.