Any time road conditions are less than ideal in Oklahoma, your chances of being involved in a car accident increase. Because of that, it’s important to always be aware of the weather when you drive—especially when you’re planning on driving a long distance and can’t easily reschedule the trip until the weather clears up.

In this blog, we explore how different weather conditions can increase the risk of crashing and ways to reduce that risk if you need to get behind the wheel.

Rain

Rain is the most common weather condition that can increase the risk of a crash. Oklahoma City gets rain an average of 84 times per year with more rain falling in the summer than any other time of year.

Rain increases the risk of crashing by:

• Reducing tire traction on the road, making it more likely for drivers to lose control of their vehicles
• Increasing braking distance, making it take longer to slow down or stop
• Reducing visibility, especially in torrential rain and heavy downpours
• Creating the potential for flooding, which can be life-threatening to drivers

You can reduce your risks of a crash while driving in the rain by:

• Using your windshield wipers at an appropriate setting and replacing worn-out or ineffective wipers
• Turning on your headlights and keeping them on while it’s raining, even if it’s during the day
• Reducing your speed to improve your control over your vehicle
• Increasing your following distance to give your vehicle more time and room to slow down or stop
• Pulling over to a safe location and waiting for the heaviest part of the downpour to pass

Snow and Ice

Snow and ice are much less common than rain in Oklahoma City, but they’re still a factor that drivers must contend with during most winters. The city gets nearly 10 inches of snowfall annually and around 73 days per year where the temperature falls below freezing, which can lead to the formation of ice on the road.

Winter weather increases the risk of crashing by:

• Making roads extremely slick and dangerous, even for vehicles with all-weather tires and four-wheel drive
• Making brakes much less effective, significantly increasing stopping distance
• Reducing visibility in heavy snowstorms and causing extreme glare when the sunlight reflects off ice or snow
• Hiding potential hazards and objects in or near the road, including short walls, guardrails, potholes, and more

You can reduce your risks of a crash while driving in winter weather by:

• Equipping your vehicle’s tires with chains to improve traction when necessary
• Significantly reducing your speed to well below the posted speed limit
• Exercising extreme caution while driving on bridges, as they ice more easily and more completely than other roadways during cold weather
• Avoiding sudden maneuvers if you begin to lose control, which includes suddenly steering harshly in one direction or pressing hard on the accelerator or brake

Fog

Fog can happen anywhere in the country, including Oklahoma City. Our area gets nearly 100 days of fog annually, but only a few of those days involve heavy fog. When heavy fog develops in an area, it can be extremely dangerous, and it’s responsible for some of the largest and deadliest pile-ups in history.

Fog increases the risk of crashing by:

• Significantly reducing visibility, as heavy fog can reduce visibility to just a few hundred feet or less
• Causing headlights to reflect back at drivers instead of illuminating the road ahead, further decreasing visibility
• Making it more difficult or even impossible to view and read important road signs, such as warnings of upcoming sharp curves, lane merges, detours, and more

You can reduce your risks of a crash while driving in heavy fog by:

• Pulling over and waiting for the fog to abate, as fog often lessens or even clears completely in the late morning or early afternoon
• Using your low-beam headlights or fog lights instead of your normal headlights to avoid having them reflect back at you
• Prepare for the unexpected, including stopped or crashed vehicles that you may not see until you’re very close to them

High Winds and Tornadoes

Oklahoma is located in Tornado Alley, and drivers should be aware of the potential for severe weather during peak tornado season (April through June). While it’s best to avoid driving during active tornado watches (when a tornado forming is possible) and especially during tornado warnings (when a tornado has been confirmed in your area), being prepared can help if you find yourself on the road anyway when one goes out.

High winds and tornadoes increase the risk of crashing by:

• Putting drivers at risk of their vehicles being struck by airborne objects and debris
• Potentially moving, lifting, or even overturning vehicles on the road
• Causing drivers to engage in dangerous behaviors in an effort to avoid high winds or to regain control of their vehicles

You can reduce your risks of a crash while driving in high winds and tornadic weather by:

• Maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel, as strong wind gusts that can blow your vehicle off course can occur suddenly and without warning
• Avoiding parking under bridges, as overpasses can create wind tunnels which can increase the danger you face during extremely high winds or a tornado
• Abandoning your vehicle if necessary and seeking shelter in the basement or most interior room of a sturdy building

Contact Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers After a Crash

It’s up to all drivers in Oklahoma to abide by traffic laws and drive cautiously and carefully—especially when weather conditions are dangerous. In many cases, drivers can be held liable for crashes they cause even during the most inclement weather. That’s because many drivers fail to take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of a crash, including reducing their speed and increasing their following distance in weather conditions that they know are dangerous.

If you were involved in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys want to help you get compensation. Contact Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers today for a free case review. We’ll review the facts of what happened and create a path to get you the money you deserve.