Driving can be dangerous, and adverse weather conditions can significantly increase the risk. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that approximately 21% of all vehicle accidents in the United States occur during adverse weather. Moreover, between 2007 and 2016, over 5,300 people lost their lives in weather-related crashes, accounting for about 16% of all traffic fatalities.

Summer weather can be unpredictable, with sudden occurrences like flash floods and severe thunderstorms. To stay safe on the road during such conditions, consider these precautions:

1. Rain and Thunderstorms:

   • Turn on headlights, wipers, and defroster for better visibility. Some drivers also use hazard flashers as warnings to others.
   • Drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you and reduce your speed.
   • Maintain increased following distance.
   • If your car hydroplanes, keep the steering wheel straight and lift your foot off the gas.
   • In severe rain that reduces visibility to near zero, consider pulling over in a safe place, like a parking lot, until the storm passes.

2. Tornadoes:

   • Never attempt to drive through or outrun a tornado.
   • Exit your vehicle and seek shelter in a building or lie in a ditch, covering your head, if no shelter is available.

3. Fog:

   • Slow down before entering foggy areas.
   • Use low beams or fog lights and turn on defrosters and wipers.
   • In thick fog, roll down windows to hear other vehicles.

In all hazardous conditions, maintain extra space between your vehicle and the one ahead. Increased following distance can be critical in preventing accidents. Remember that safety should always be the top priority when driving in adverse weather.