Spring Driving Safety Tips

Temperatures are rising, ice is melting and flowers are blooming. No doubt about it, spring is here in Kentucky. After months of braving wintery roads, now we can enjoy our drives because of the nicer weather. However, should we let our guard down? The answer is no. Even though spring is here, we can’t let the excitement of driving in nice weather distract us. Like winter, spring also presents driving challenges. With that said, let’s check a few things before we head out to drive.

Related: Winter Driving Safety Tips For Kentucky Roads

Spring checklist
Winters can be harsh in the Kentuckiana area. That’s why we need to double check our cars to make sure everything is still working properly. You will want to make sure to check:

• Road conditions. Rain and wet roads are two driving challenges we could expect this season. Wet roads are just as dangerous as icy roads, so we need to be cautious. Water tends to pool in the outside lanes, so try to drive in the middle lane as much as possible to avoid puddles.
• Wiper blades. Your car’s wipers may have been damaged by the brutal winter we’ve had. Test your wipers and see how fast they clear water. Then you can see if you need to replace them or not.
• Lights. Rain reduces visibility, and your lights help you see better. Make sure that your vehicle’s taillights, headlights, turn signals, brake lights and parking signals are working properly.
• Tires. The winter weather may cause tires to deflate. Check your tires and see if they are properly inflated. This will help reduce damages from uneven pavement, potholes and other road hazards.
• Driving distance. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicles around you. While this tip applies to all seasons, it’s more critical when the roads are wet or slippery. Note that stopping on a wet road requires four times the distance needed than stopping on a dry road. So, drive slow and do not tailgate. Also, avoid cruise control. This way you can react faster.

Related: Is Rain More Dangerous Than Snow And Ice?

Potholes
In addition, avoid potholes. Hitting potholes may damage your car. If you hit one, check your tires to make sure everything is okay. If you feel like something is wrong, take your car to get checked out. You don’t want to drive on a damaged tire. That could lead to an accident. If you see any potholes, you can report them to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. You know the roads you drive on. Your help is important so we can enjoy good, safe roads.