The weather seems more unpredictable than ever, creating sudden hazardous conditions for drivers. Motorists with many years of driving under their belts may become overconfident and travel along roads like normal in rainy or wet conditions, but doing so is dangerous.
Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation finds that most weather-related accidents and fatalities occur from wet pavement or rain. Recognizing the possible consequences of accidents on wet roads can help drivers remember to stay safe.
More injuries because of unpredictability
The deadliest car accidents are when a car veers off the road or has a rollover, side impact or head-on collision. These crashes become more common on wet roads and often lead to catastrophic injuries.
Slippery streets can cause drivers to lose control, causing vehicles to skid or slide in unexpected directions. With a lack of control, a driver may be unable to make evasive maneuvers. Even worse, a driver’s actions to avoid an accident could worsen the situation, such as sending the vehicle into the path of an obstacle or oncoming traffic.
Common types of injuries
Car crashes can lead to all kinds of catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal damage
- Disfiguring scars and burns
- Paralysis
- Dismemberment
As the previously mentioned stats display, a person is also more likely to die in an accident on wet roads, leaving a family without a beloved member and incurring costs for a funeral and burial.
Roads can become dangerous in an instant with an unexpected storm. Motorists should take extra precautions when driving through any rain or on roads that are still wet.