Monsoon Season: Road Safety Tips For Phoenix Drivers
August 28, 2024 | Car Accidents
Driving in monsoon conditions, which could include heavy rain, hail, high winds, and even flash flooding, isn’t ideal. However, since the monsoon season in Arizona extends from June through September each year, you can’t reasonably stay home for four months.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that wet pavement contributes to 75% of weather-related accidents, while rainfall is a factor in 47%. Monsoonal weather is just a way of life for Phoenix residents, so when you must brave the elements for work, errands, or other activities, it pays to be as safe as possible.
Properly preparing for wet weather and behaving responsibly when you get behind the wheel can help you avoid car accidents and potential injuries. Here are a few tips to stay safe when the weather gets wild.
Service Your Car
When you schedule your regular car service before summer hits, check several key components to ensure that you’re ready for inclement weather.
Windshield wipers need to be in top condition to deal with extreme rain, so if yours are a little worse for wear, it’s a good time to replace them. You should also have your mechanic check your tires for wear, perform a brake inspection, and make sure all your lights (headlamps, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazards) are in good working order.
Maintain a Safe Driving Distance and Reduce Speed
If you’re caught in bad weather on the road, the best thing you can do to avoid rear-end crashes is to account for the increased reaction time needed to brake or correct for hazards. Start by slowing your driving speed, particularly if water is pooling on the roadway or debris has blown across lanes of traffic.
You should also follow at a safe distance. It can take two to three times longer to stop on wet pavement than it takes on dry roads. So, if you normally follow the three-second rule, increase to a gap of six to nine seconds (you should pass a fixed object on the road six to nine seconds after the car in front of you passes it).
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When you hear the term “distracted driving,” you probably think of a driver texting on a cell phone or fiddling with the radio or climate controls. However, any distraction can be dangerous when you’re behind the wheel, including rain on your windshield, high winds blowing debris, pooling water on the road, and other drivers braking or swerving to avoid road hazards.
You need to be on high alert during monsoonal weather to account for added distractions.
Pay Attention To Flash Flood Warnings
Local news stations typically discuss inclement weather and issue flash flood warnings throughout daily programming. Some issue alerts via apps you can download to your phone or other connected devices.
You can also check the Arizona Flood Warning System (AFWS) and use the integrated live data map to see statewide conditions in real time. This will help you avoid predicted flood areas. If you reach a flooded area while driving, turn around.
Avoid Busy Highways
When the weather takes a turn for the worse, certain roadways may become busier than usual due to slower traffic or accidents. You should always choose paved roads during rain and flooding, but opt for less congested routes to avoid highway crashes or hazards on the busiest city streets.
Prepare For the Worst
Wet weather can be a recipe for disaster. While there’s a lot you can do to stay safe during monsoonal weather in Phoenix, accidents aren’t always avoidable. In addition to following safe driving practices, make sure you’re prepared with an emergency roadside kit and a charged cell phone to contact help.
Contact the Arizona Personal Injury Lawyers at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in an accident in Phoenix, AZ, and need legal help, contact our Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
1221 E Osborn Rd. Suite 201
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 595-5559