car splashes through large puddle on flooded street
Springtime brings rain and the aftereffects of winter weather, like potholes and uneven pavement. Keep the following driving tips in mind before you set out on the road:
Spring showers bring May flowers… and wet driving conditions:Slow down on slick roads and increase your following distance, even when mist begins to fall. Just a small amount of water can mix with oil and grease on the road to create slippery conditions.
Share the road:Warm weather brings out more motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Drivers must understand the impact of their medications:For many people, spring means seasonal allergies. Over-the-counter allergy drugs can have side effects or interact with other medications to diminish your driving ability.
Whenever possible, avoid potholes:Deep potholes can throw your car out of alignment or worse, forcing you to buy a new wheel and a new tire. You may be able to file a claim (laws differ from city to city and state to state), but you’ll likely have to prove negligence on the part of the city, which is no easy task.
Avoid driving through large puddles:Driving through water can impair the efficacy of your brakes, cloud your vision and/or cause you to hydroplane.
Keep your tires properly inflated:Full tires can reduce the damage caused by potholes and other road hazards.
Source:AARP
