What to Do If You’re Caught Driving in Severe Weather

Driving is a regular part of life, but it can quickly become dangerous when severe weather strikes. Whether it’s heavy rain, snow, ice, or strong winds, hazardous weather can make it difficult to control your vehicle and stay safe on the road. While the best practice is to avoid driving in these conditions, sometimes it's unavoidable, and you find yourself needing to drive through a storm. Knowing what to do when you're caught in severe weather can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety.

At Get Drivers Ed, our goal is to help drivers navigate these types of challenges with confidence. In this blog, we’ll cover essential tips on how to handle different types of severe weather, so you’re prepared the next time you’re caught in a storm while driving. By following these tips and maintaining defensive driving practices, you can reduce your risk of accidents and arrive at your destination safely.

1. What to Do When Driving in Heavy Rain

Rain is one of the most common forms of severe weather, but it’s also responsible for numerous accidents every year. Wet roads reduce tire traction and increase stopping distances, while rain reduces visibility. Here’s what to do if you’re caught driving in heavy rain:

Slow Down and Maintain a Safe Distance

When driving in heavy rain, the first thing you should do is reduce your speed. Wet roads are slippery, and stopping distances can double compared to dry conditions. Keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you to give yourself more time to react.

Use Your Headlights

In reduced visibility conditions, make sure your headlights are on. This not only helps you see the road ahead but also makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers. However, avoid using your high beams as they can reflect off the rain and further reduce your visibility.

Watch Out for Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning occurs when your tires lose contact with the road due to a layer of water. If your car starts to hydroplane, avoid slamming on the brakes or making sharp turns. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go until your tires regain contact with the road.

Get Drivers Ed offers detailed lessons on how to handle driving in wet conditions and avoid hydroplaning in our online drivers ed course. Enrolling in our course can help you be better prepared for challenging weather situations.

2. How to Drive Safely in Snow and Ice

Winter driving can be particularly treacherous, especially when snow and ice cover the roads. These conditions reduce your tires' grip, increase stopping times, and make it harder to control your vehicle. Here’s how to drive safely in snow and ice:

Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly

Quick acceleration or braking can cause your car to skid on icy roads. To maintain control, always accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply gentle pressure to the gas pedal and brakes, and leave plenty of room for slowing down before intersections or turns.

Increase Following Distance

In snowy or icy conditions, it's essential to increase the distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. A typical safe following distance is 3-4 seconds in normal conditions, but in snow or ice, aim for at least 8-10 seconds. This gives you enough time to stop if the car ahead brakes suddenly.

Stay Aware of Black Ice

Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms on roads in cold weather, often making the road look wet rather than frozen. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas are especially prone to black ice. If you hit black ice, don’t panic—keep your steering wheel steady and avoid hitting the brakes.

Our Get Drivers Ed course teaches essential techniques for driving in snow, ice, and other winter weather conditions. You’ll learn how to handle skids, maintain control on icy roads, and stay safe in extreme winter weather.

3. Dealing with High Winds

Strong winds can pose a serious threat, especially for larger vehicles like trucks, SUVs, or cars with high profiles, as they are more likely to be pushed off course. Here’s what to do when driving in high winds:

Keep Both Hands on the Wheel

When driving in windy conditions, it’s crucial to keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel. High winds can push your car sideways, and keeping both hands on the wheel will help you maintain control and counteract sudden gusts.

Stay Alert for Larger Vehicles

Large trucks, buses, and RVs are more susceptible to wind gusts and may sway into other lanes unexpectedly. Keep your distance from larger vehicles, and if you need to pass them, do so quickly and with caution.

Slow Down

Speeding during windy conditions reduces your reaction time and makes it harder to maintain control of your vehicle. Lower your speed to stay safe, especially when driving on highways or open roads where wind gusts are more intense.

Get Drivers Ed provides in-depth tips on how to handle driving in high winds, ensuring that you feel confident no matter what weather comes your way. Defensive driving techniques are essential in maintaining control when the wind picks up.

4. Navigating Through Fog

Fog is another hazardous weather condition that reduces visibility significantly. Driving through thick fog requires extra caution to avoid accidents. Here’s what you should do:

Use Low Beam Headlights or Fog Lights

When driving in fog, always use your low beam headlights or fog lights. High beams can reflect off the fog and reduce your visibility even further. Your low beams help other drivers see you and provide enough light to guide you safely through foggy conditions.

Reduce Speed but Avoid Stopping on the Road

It’s important to reduce your speed when visibility is poor, but don’t stop in the middle of the road as other drivers may not see you in time to avoid a collision. If the fog becomes too thick to drive safely, pull off to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your presence.

Follow Road Markings

Fog can make it difficult to see the road ahead, so use the lane markings or the right edge of the road as a guide to help you stay in your lane and navigate turns. This will help keep you on course even when visibility is low.

At Get Drivers Ed, we cover foggy driving conditions and provide tips for staying safe when you can’t see far ahead. Our course offers practical advice to help you manage even the most challenging road situations.

5. General Tips for All Severe Weather Conditions

Regardless of the specific weather condition, there are a few general tips you should always follow when caught driving in severe weather:

• Stay Calm: Panicking will only make the situation worse. Stay calm and focused, and make smooth, steady movements when steering or braking.

• Avoid Distractions: In severe weather, your attention should be solely on the road. Avoid using your phone or adjusting the radio while driving.

• Know When to Pull Over: If the weather becomes too dangerous, it’s better to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Find a safe spot off the road, such as a parking lot or rest area, and turn on your hazard lights while you wait.

Conclusion: Be Prepared for Severe Weather with Get Drivers Ed

Driving in severe weather is a challenge that every driver will likely face at some point. The key to staying safe is knowing how to adjust your driving techniques for each type of weather condition. Whether it’s heavy rain, snow, ice, fog, or high winds, being prepared can make all the difference.

At Get Drivers Ed, we provide the knowledge and skills necessary to handle severe weather with confidence. Our online drivers ed course offers comprehensive lessons on defensive driving, handling hazardous conditions, and keeping yourself and others safe on the road.

Ready to become a safer, more confident driver? Enroll today and equip yourself with the tools you need to tackle severe weather and any other challenges the road may throw your way!