Wet Weather Driving and Proper Headlight Usage
Rain is dangerous to drive in because not only does it reduce visibility, by it also makes your tires lose traction. When the road gets wet, the water mixes with the dirt on the asphalt, making it harder for your tires to hold onto the road. In other words, rain makes everything slippery, and puddles that form can lead to hydroplaning.
Statistics show that 5,891,000 car accidents occur every year, and over 20% of these are due to weather-related reasons. The two leading causes for weather related accidents are rain and wet pavement. Staying focused and attentive as a driver can help you avoid becoming part of these statistics.
We all know that keeping your eyes on the road is critical, especially in unfavorable weather conditions, and when it is raining there are several other things you must do to ensure your safety behind the wheel as well as the safety of others.
Dangers of driving in the rain
Listed below are some of the main factors that can affect your driving in the rain:
- Hydroplaning causes your tires to lose traction with the road and it becomes difficult to steer and easy to lose control of the car.
- Reaction times are much slower in wet conditions, both for drivers and the controls of the car.
- Standing water can disguise road hazards such as potholes. Large amounts of standing water can even submerge your car and splashing through puddles can be dangerous, as it decreases visibility for you and others on the road.
- Hard braking can result in loss of control and damage to your vehicle’s brake system.
- Vision can be impaired by rainy conditions due to reduced visibility.
- Light is scattered and reflected from headlights as the light beams become weaker in the rain making it difficult to see other cars, pedestrians, road signs or the road itself.
- Headlights may perform at a weaker rate in the rain, but it is important to avoid using your high beams because they can cause an even stronger glare resulting in more danger. High beams are also not as helpful as regular lights when it comes to being visible to other cars.
- Speed also plays a role in visibility. If you’re driving too fast, the rain can make things even blurrier. In addition to that, your car’s reaction time is significantly reduced in wet conditions, so driving more slowly is your best bet.
Increase your visibility when driving in the rain
As mentioned already, it is critical to be able to see your surroundings and to be seen by other road users when you drive in the rain. Headlights should be turned on any time you need to use your windshield wipers, both for you to see better and for other drivers to be able to see you better. Not only is this important for your safety, but it is actually the law in most states.
State Laws Regarding Headlight Usage
Virginia:
Virginia Code Section 46-2-1030 states that every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices from sunset to sunrise or during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other atmospheric conditions that reduce visibility to 500 feet or less when persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible. This provision however, shall not apply when someone is using wipers intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.
Maryland:
“Wipers on, headlights on.” Maryland traffic law and Maryland Code Section 22-201.2 require all drivers on a highway to turn on their vehicle’s headlights whenever their vehicle’s windshield wipers are activated for a continuous period of time because of impaired visibility resulting from inclement weather such as rain or snow or unfavorable atmospheric condition when visibility is less than 1000 feet ahead. Hazard lights may only be used in emergency situations.
The District of Columbia
DC law states that headlights are required when wipers are in use or when visibility is less than 500 feet. They must be used a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise. High beams are not permitted on city streets and should only be used on country roads with no lights.
In short, if you are driving in the rain on the highways of Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia, always take precautions to make yourself as visible as possible, slow down and keep your distance.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Car Accident Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
Have you been injured in a car accident? Worried about how you’re going to pay your doctors’ bills and other accident-related expenses? You don’t have to face this alone. The Auto Accident Attorneys at Hilton & Somer, LLC help clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. We can help you, too. Contact us today to receive your free consultation (703) 560-0700.
References:
https://weather.com/safety/winter/news/weather-fatalities-car-crashes-accidents-united-states
https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2005/gtr/22-201.2.html
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