Although most Australians drive a vehicle daily, many drivers simply don’t know how to deal with dangerous conditions on the road. This leads to hundreds of preventable accidents happening every week on both metropolitan and regional roadways. Here we will look at some of the most dangerous conditions and tips on how to handle them safely.
Wet and Slippery Roads
While driving in heavy rain itself is dangerous, the aftermath of a rainstorm can lead to saturated roads covered in puddles. This is especially common on older or poorly surfaced roads where dips allow for water to pool, making it hard for tyres to maintain traction. Driving over puddles at high speeds may cause your vehicle to hydroplane or could cause damage to your braking system.
How to stay safe:
- Slow down when roads are wet and pay close attention to puddles.
- Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
- Never drive through deep puddles or roads that look heavily flooded.
Black Ice
More common in regional areas, black ice occurs when precipitation freezes on the road and forms ice. These patches of ice may be covered in thin layers of snow or completely exposed. Black ice is difficult to spot, which makes it hard to avoid and therefore, incredibly dangerous. When tyres hit a patch of black ice they can lose traction, inhibit steering, and potentially make you veer off the road or hit another car.
How to stay safe:
- Slowdown in snowy, or frosty conditions.
- Accelerate slowly when taking off.
- Never slam on your brakes in wintery conditions.
- Allow plenty of space to stop behind another vehicle.
- Look out for signs on country roads that warn about black ice.
Fog
Fog significantly reduces visibility. Depending on the severity of the fog, you may not be able to see a car in front of you, road bends, or even traffic signals.
How to stay safe:
- Avoid driving in extreme fog if possible or delay your trip until the fog begins to lift.
- Reduce your speed.
- Lower your windows and use demisters to ensure your windscreen remains clear.
- Pay close to the roadside reflectors to ensure you stay in your lane.
- Turn on your headlights – low beam only as high beams will be reflected in the fog and cause a glare, making vision even more obscured.
Strong Winds
Strong gusts of wind sweep can across roads during storms or on a windy day. These gusts can get under your car and cause you to lose control momentarily. Strong winds can also push a vehicle to the side, making braking and steering difficult.
How to stay safe:
- Ensure both hands are tightly on the wheel at all times.
- Make sure your tyres are properly inflated for best traction.
- Watch closely for other vehicles that may unexpectedly swerve due to wind gusts, especially large trucks, or buses.
- Compensate by steering slightly against a consistent side wind.
- Don’t overcorrect if you get blown off course by a short gust.
Potholes
Roads that have been recently flooded or aren’t regularly maintained can develop potholes, which can be dangerous to drive on and can cause damage to your vehicle. Potholes hit at speed can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, resulting in you hitting another vehicle or object.
How to stay safe:
- If you’re on a road you know has potholes, slow down and try to avoid them.
- Don’t slam on your brakes – any sudden reduction in speed can create a dangerous situation for you and surrounding traffic.
- Don’t swerve! You may lose control of your vehicle or move into another lane or oncoming traffic.
- Make sure your tyre pressure is adequate.
Drivers that are aware of dangerous road conditions and have the knowledge on how to handle them are better equipped to keep themselves and other road users safe. Keeping all Australian drivers safe is our aim a Safe T Tyre. We supply a range of reliable tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for all types of vehicles. Keeping your tyres properly inflated is one of the best ways you can stay safe on the road. Contact us online or call 1800 876 700 to get yours.