Trumball News

City of Girard recently issued the following announcement.

ALL LIGHTS ON IN RAIN OR SNOW (front & Rear - not just the automatic daylight front lights)

Ohio drivers are required by law to turn on their *exterior lights* (FRONT & BACK) in rain and snow.  Some argue the flashing hazard lights act as more of an alert for surrounding drivers to slow down; others claim having your flashers on runs the risk of confusing fellow drivers, who may think you're stalled out on the road.  However, hazard lights are NOT permitted while driving in Ohio "except when a hazardous condition is present". Intense rain and snow would generally qualify under that exception.

1.  Be alert and aware of the present weather conditions. 

Rather than allowing your mind to shift into autopilot or drift off into a daze when the roads are wet or it is raining, you need to be on high alert and paying attention to all that is going on around you. The fact is, many of the motorists traveling nearby to you will still be operating their vehicles as if the rain doesn’t present any type of hazard and will swerve in and out of lanes or drive at fast rates of speed. This type of behavior only increases the chances of them having their vehicle spin out of control and potentially crash into you. Therefore, it is your job to pay attention to everything and everyone so that you can dodge an accident if you see that one is about to occur.

2.  Put your headlights on. (ALL - FRONT & REAR) 

If rain begins to fall or the clouds above look as though they are about to open up, put your headlights on to make yourself more visible to other drivers. Not only does the law require you to have your headlights on when driving in the rain, but many states advise their drivers to keep their emergency blinkers off so as to not confuse drivers with you being in need of immediate help when you really aren’t.

3.  Hydroplaning is possible so be prepared for it. 

“When your tires lose traction with the road due to excess water on top of [it],” it hydroplanes which means “your vehicle will begin to slide uncontrollably.” I Drive Safely offers some helpful tips as to what you should do when your vehicle hydroplanes and you are encouraged to review these tips at your earliest convenience.

4.  Don’t drive with cruise control on. 

State Farm says that when the roadways are slick and you have cruise control on, you increase your chances of having your vehicle spin out of the control. Cruise control can also cause your vehicle to go faster than the speed you have it set at in the event it hydroplanes.

5.  Reduce your speed. 

Whether the speed limit sign says you are permitted to drive 55 mph or 65 mph, you don’t have to travel at that rate when it is raining. The fact is, “speed limit signs are designed for ideal conditions” which is the opposite of what is present when it is raining. Therefore, it is best you reduce your speed significantly when it is raining which will equate to you having more stopping time in the event traffic slows. Although it might take you longer to get where you need to go, at least you are reducing the chances of engaging in a collision.

6.  Be cautious when changing lanes or merging into traffic. 

Many say that when it rains, motorists forget how to drive. And there may be some truth to that. The fact is, rather than being extra cautious, drivers will forget to put on their blinkers and even speed beyond the legal limits which only heightens the risk for you and the others traveling around you. Therefore, you are encouraged to check twice before merging into another lane to be sure it is safe for you to do so as other drivers may have merged into it after you initially checked to see if it was clear.

While Ohio drivers can’t prevent rainfall, they can prevent an accident by adjusting their driving when inclement weather is present.

PLUS THIS EXTRA WARNING NOTICE TOO:  

A.  Proceed With Caution!

B.  Speed and Distance – The faster you’re going, the longer it will take to stop. When accelerating on snow or ice, take it slow to avoid slipping and sliding. Ice and Snow… Take It Slow.

C.  Limited Visibility – Stay attentive and reduce speed. Know what’s going on around you.

D.  Brake – Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly, and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop..

E.  Control – When driving on ice and snow, do not use cruise control and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. When merging into traffic, take it slow. Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide.

F.  Vision – Be aware of what’s going on well ahead of you. Actions by other vehicles will alert you to problems more quickly, and give you that split-second of extra time to react safely.

SOURCES:  

1.  https://www.13abc.com/.../Driving-in-bad-weather-hazard...

2.  https://www.buckeyelaw.com/.../heres-what-ohio-drivers.../

3.  https://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/WinterIceAndSnowTakeIt...

Original source can be found here.