It is the responsibility of every driver to constantly better themselves such that they reduce the risk of accidents on the road. Weather plays a major role in road safety, yet it is also one of the things most drivers overlook. The conditions outside can directly impact the length of a safe following distance, for instance, which is why adjusting driving habits based on weather is so important. Learn just how much weather impacts road safety in order to figure out how to adjust your own driving to compensate.
The Science of Safe Following Distances
For the vast majority of drivers on the road in fair weather conditions, it is recommended to adhere to the three-second follow distance rule, which keeps you adequately far from other vehicles for your own safety and for theirs.
This rule means that it should take you three seconds to get to the position of another car on the road. For example, if a bridge is coming up and the car in front of you passes under it, you should be passing under it at least three seconds after that point. This metric was chosen by experts as it allows drivers following the speed limit enough time and space to make a sudden movement or to begin to brake.
However, adverse weather conditions can change road friction and tire traction. This means that the safe distance to bring your vehicle to a stop or to react in an emergency is often shorter as a result. This is why experts recommend slowing down when driving in poor conditions.
How Rain Affects Following Distances
The first form of poor weather you will likely face at some point in your life is heavy rain. Wet roads reduce the grip that tires have on the road, which leads to longer stopping distances due to the decreased friction. The first rain after a long time also brings up oil from the road, which amplifies this issue further.
As a general rule of thumb, you should double your following distance to six seconds when there is significant rainfall. Additionally, practice safer driving techniques such as reducing your speed gradually, rather than all at once, avoiding any sudden braking or sharp turns, and flipping on your headlights to improve visibility.
Safe Following Distances in Snow and Ice
Similar to rain on the road, snow and ice create dangerous conditions that are hard to manage. More so than rain, fresh snow and ice can cause extreme loss of traction on the road, particularly when black ice is present. When your vehicle encounters black ice, the tires may simply skate over the ice, as opposed to gripping the ground, which leads to the issue. This is especially true if the treads on your tires are low already, as gaining traction will be more difficult. This is why it’s always advised to get your tires checked regularly.
In these conditions, most experts recommended increasing your following distance even more to eight to ten seconds, depending on the severity of the weather. In addition to this, consider using winter tires for better traction, avoid tailgating in snowy conditions, and brake extremely gently in order to prevent skidding. If you are unfamiliar in driving in winter conditions, consider letting someone else in the vehicle take over if they have expertise. This will ensure your safety more than just throwing caution to the wind and trying out the weather conditions for the first time.
The Impact of Fog on Visibility and Safe Distances
When looking at the different weather conditions that can affect following distances on the road, too many people choose to overlook fog. Fog reduces visibility, though, which makes it exceedingly difficult to judge distances. The risk of sudden slowdowns from vehicles ahead that come across an obstacle, thereby forcing you to make a sudden move, becomes exponentially higher. In fact, 21% of the nearly 6,000,000 annual crashes are weather-related with around 38,000 of those being directly attributed to the presence of fog.
To avoid finding yourself as a part of this statistic, you should always use low-beam headlights instead of high beams in the fog. Additionally, maintain a five-to-six second gap between you and the car in front of you for the best results. Similar to the other weather conditions outlined above, avoid slamming on the brakes at any point as this could lead to a rear-end collision if other weather conditions are less than desirable.
Wind and Other Extreme Weather Conditions
The last weather condition you should be thinking about that can impact the following distance of your vehicle is the wind. Despite the fact that your vehicle weighs thousands of pounds, strong winds can push your car into adjacent lanes. This makes following at a safe distance crucial, as if there is a car directly next to you then you may slam into it. If the wind is behind you, as well, then slowing down may take longer as your vehicle is receiving forward assistance.
Additionally, similar weather conditions, such as dust storms and hurricanes, can reduce your visibility and make braking unpredictable. To that end, keep an extra long distance away from high-profile vehicles such as trucks, vans, or RVs, as these all may take longer to stop. Also, slow down and stay alert for any sudden wind gusts that may threaten the trajectory of your vehicle.
Protect yourself and others on the road
Following distances are crucial as they help to reduce rear-end collisions, which have the potential to be some of the most dangerous types of car accidents. Weather conditions make following distances variable, though, which means you need to be proactive about your placement on the road. Always follow defensive driving practices to keep yourself and others safe, and never forget to check the weather report before you leave home just to be sure what you’re getting into.
