March Winds & April Showers Bring May Flowers…

4/24/2019 (Permalink)

We are all familiar with the 1920’s poem and song about the typical rainy season expected in the Spring. Such, storms also make for slick roads and more than usual dangerous driving conditions.

Extra caution and speed reduction should be exercised when behind the wheel when the roads are wet and slippery because nearly half of weather-related automobile accidents each year are from the rain. This extra caution applies to both new and experienced drivers. When rain follows hot and drier days, engine oil builds up on the roads and can contribute to many more accidents. Increase your following distance to improve visibility and give yourself enough time to fully brake. Avoid using cruise control in the rain to properly control speed when hitting patches of water and to prevent hydroplaning. If you begin to drift, do not turn your wheel or brake hard because your vehicle could skid or spin. We have all seen a driver flying through bad weather, not slowing at all or taking account of the road conditions only to collide right off the road, minutes later.  Practice being a defensive and patient driver.

Nowadays, dangers of driving have grown to include a much larger list than just rainy weather. Because of so many potential distractions; iPhones have a “do not disturb setting” while driving that detect motion and if receiving a call or text during that time will automatically send a quick text notifying the caller of such. This aids in the practice of not looking at our phones at all while driving.

Local law enforcement, hospitals, schools and businesses team up year after year for the EVERY 15 Minutes Program that instructs our young ones before they become licensed drivers to understand the many dangers on the road because life’s lessons are best learned through experience. This powerful program leaves a lasting and emotional impression through the use of a visual reenactment of a deadly accident stemmed from driving while impaired or distracted. Students are challenged to meditate on the weighty responsibility of getting behind the wheel and the grim realities that can be caused by making foolish choices. The program teaches the importance of taking responsibility by making mature decisions and how outcomes can greatly impact everyone around them.

As May approaches, the California weather will begin to warm up and the chance of rain drops to a day to two at the most, if any. While California is a year-round destination for travelers, May through the summer months brings the highest number of visitors to the beaches and local attractions. Wherever your California destination plans lie this Spring and Summer, have fun but be safe!