Winter tends to get most of the attention when talking about weather-related car accidents and with good reason. Snowy and ice roads pose increased driving risks and challenges. However, as the ice melts and the snow shifts to rain, the driving hazards in Toronto change with the season.
In Toronto, spring tends to have the lowest rates of accidents in Ontario. Still, over 45,000 car accidents are reported each spring, plus countless more minor accidents that go unreported. No doubt, spring showers contribute to many of these accidents. Rainy conditions may be less intimidating for drivers than snowy storms, but they still require attention and care to navigate safely.
If you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a spring car accident in Toronto. Don’t hesitate to contact a Toronto car accident lawyer to help guide you through the claims process. In this article, the lawyers at Zayouna Law Firm will guide you through the hazards of spring driving to help you prevent needing a lawyer in the first place.
Driving Hazards Created by Rainy Weather in Toronto
Spring brings longer days, warmer weather, and an air of excitement for new beginnings. But as the world springs back to life, the varied road conditions and increased activity in Toronto bring an assortment of hazards to be aware of.
The melting of winter’s snow and ice. The frequent rain storms. The increased activity of cyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife. All of these factors require special attention and vigilance to prevent spring car accidents in Toronto.
Slippery Roads
One of the biggest hazards in spring and in rainy weather is slippery roads. Often in Ontario, the wintery snow and ice don’t fully melt until well into spring, and the odd cold snap can bring its own icy and slushy conditions.
In rainy weather, roads can get unexpectedly slippery as well. The wet roads themselves reduce traction, but often rain will cause oils in the road to rise to the surface, adding to the slipperiness.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning occurs when your tires go over a deep puddle or flooded area. The deep water causes your tires to lose contact with the road and slip out of control similar to slipping on ice.
Learning how to handle your vehicle when you hydroplane is crucial to preventing car accidents in rainy weather.
- Don’t press the brakes
- Release the accelerator
- Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
- Steer into the skid
- Be prepared for your tires to regain traction.
Poor Visibility
Heavy rain and fog can severely impede visibility and increase the risk of a car accident. In heavy storms, the accumulation of rain on your windshield can eventually get to the point where you can’t see at all. In these situations, it is better to pull over and wait until visibility improves than to continue driving blind.
The glare of lights on a wet road also severely affects visibility in rainy weather, making it difficult to see the lines on the street. Try to focus on the cars in front of you and the lines around your vehicle. Reduce your speed and stay vigilant.
Spring Driving Tips to Stay Safe in Rainy Weather
To help you stay safe this spring, follow these tips for driving in rainy weather:
Avoid DIstractions
Distracted driving is the number one contributing factor to car accidents in Toronto. Distracted driving is estimated to make an accident 8x more likely. When road conditions worsen, avoiding distractions becomes even more crucial to avoid the expenses and pain of an accident.
Don’t Rush to Switch to Summer Tires
The Ontario government recommends keeping winter tires on your vehicle until April 30th, and for good reason. Cold snaps can create unexpectedly icy and slushy conditions, in which you will be happy to have your winter tires.
Check Your Tire Pressure and Windshield Wipers
Part of keeping your car prepared for spring conditions is maintaining effective windshield wipers and tire pressure. If your wipers are streaky, don’t put off replacing them, or else you may wait until it’s too late.
Your tire pressure varies as the temperature rises and falls, losing pressure in lower temperatures and increasing in higher temperatures. You should check your tire pressure as the weather changes to make sure it is up to your manufacturer’s recommendations. Having over-inflated or under-inflated tires can cause your tires to have worse traction, which can make the difference between slipping out and not.
Give Other Drivers Extra Space
Whenever driving conditions worsen, you should reduce your speed and increase your following distances. Similarly, try to avoid staying in other drivers’ blind spots and only pass vehicles when necessary.
Make Yourself Visible
You should periodically check to make sure all of your lights are functioning. If visibility is reduced by fog or rain, make yourself more visible by turning on your running lights. Relatedly keep a keen eye out for cyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife that may be less visible on the road.
Wait It Out
If you end up getting caught in a heavy rain storm, or if you ever feel like the driving conditions are too unsafe, it is better to avoid driving altogether. Either postpone your trip or pull over whenever possible to wait out the heavy rain.
Save the Number of a Toronto Car Accident Lawyer
Stay prepared for a car accident in Toronto by seeking out and saving the number of a trusted Toronto car accident lawyer.
The lawyers at Zayouna Law Firm have decades of experience providing compassionate and personalized service for clients in Toronto and across the GTA. Our lawyers can help you through every step of the legal process following a car accident, from challenging an insurance decision to representing you in court for car accident tort claims.
Save our number or contact Zayouna Law Firm to book a free initial consultation today.
