Driving Risks Depending On The Season

Admittedly, there is day to day driving risks that exist no matter what time of year or season it is. However, essential to remember is that some specific hazards and risks can occur during a particular season much more often.  

Weather-related accidents can occur during any season.  However, many can also be traced back to a specific season, such as those times of road maintenance, driving behaviors of fellow drivers, and other factors that, upon first glance, may not be all that apparent.

To ensure that you, and those you love, are not the victims of these accidents, you must understand the possible risks involved.  After all, failing to prepare yourself adequately could find you a victim of an automobile accident, along with likely others.

The Road And The Four Seasons

With each changing season comes new risks and hazards that travelers need to ensure they are aware of. Vital to understand is that many of these hazards are not necessarily season-specific but more common during certain times than others – for instance, during rainstorms.  Rainstorms more commonly occur through the spring, summer, and fall seasons, but in some areas of the country occur during the winter season as well.  

Winter Season

-         Ice and snow – when precipitation is frozen, it can significantly reduce your visibility coupled with forming on roads, making them slick and treacherous.  If the precipitation is heavy and thick enough, it can hide the paint marks on the road, minimizing your ability to judge your position within the lanes.  Not to be forgotten is the danger involved when your fellow motorists do not slow down, fail to take adverse weather conditions into account, and do not maintain safe distances.

-         Shorter days – the winter months are known for their shorter days and extended periods of darkness.  With nightfall occurring in many locations as the evening commute home begins, drivers will have to deal with decreased visibility.

Spring Season

-         Increased winds – most stronger windstorms happen in the spring and can often push right through to the summer months.  These winds can be strong and pose a threat to almost every vehicle. Those vehicles that are most susceptible to problems, namely rollovers, are high profile with a shorter wheelbase.

-         Road conditions – exposure to the ice and cold of winter commonly takes its toll on the road, causing it to warp and break.  In turn, there is an overabundance of potholes, which drivers must learn to dodge until the summer months, when they may or may not be addressed by the department of highways.

-         Non-vehicles – with warmer weather come bikers and walkers.  During the sunnier days,you will see more and more people out and about, enjoying the weather.  Increased sun worshippers also lead to increased reports of pedestrian-related accidents.

Summer Season

-         Hot pavement – during the summer months, the sun can cause the surface temperature of the roadways to heat up.  The increase in surface temperature can aid in generating a dangerously high level of pressure in tires, which can then lead to an accident caused by blowouts.

-         Storms – contrary to popular belief, snow, and ice are not the primary causes of weather-related accidents; heavy rain and slick roads are the most common causes.

-         Hail – for many areas of the country, the summer months are the most common for hail storms. Hail is the perfect combination of the two most dangerous road conditions – rain and snow – not to mention that hail can do additional physical damage to vehicles when present in heavier storms.

-         Traffic conditions – during the summer months, more and more individuals and families take to the roads.  Whether the trip is to visit beloved family members or to enjoy a vacation, there are more people on the roadways.    The increased number of cars often leads to an uptick in accidents.

Fall Season

-         Change of time – when we fall back during daylight savings time, it only follows that more and more driving will occur during the darker hours.  You must prepare for these driving conditions and allow a little extra time to get where you are going.

-         School's in – children head back to school in the fall, meaning there will be more school buses traveling the roads.  There will also be many more youngsters crossing the streets, so keeping a sharp eye at the crosswalks is essential.

-         Leaves – the falling leaves of the season may be pretty, but they can be hazardous simultaneously.  They can hide potholes in the road and other possible hazards due to their ability to limit overall visibility.

The Bryant Law Firm has helped thousands of injury victims in the Greater Houston Area and all across Texas.  Let David A. Bryant, Jr. help you get the appropriate medical treatment and compensation you deserve.

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