Driving a car or a motorcycle is a risky enough activity as it is – you never know when another reckless driver may put you in danger.
If you’ve been in an accident caused by a roadway defect or hazard, you may be able to file a claim for the damages – you can read more here. However, it’s better to avoid an accident altogether.
Potholes, water, ice, and animals are some of the most common road hazards, but will you know what to do if you encounter them?
Here are the road hazards to watch out for, and what to do if you can’t avoid them.
1. Water
The floodwater that remains sitting on the road during and after a storm is incredibly hazardous. When you drive on a wet road, your car can hydroplane or skid out of control. This is due to the layer of water reducing the friction between your tires and the road.
Most drivers’ reaction when they begin to slide is to apply hard pressure on the brakes, which actually makes things worse.
Always be aware of the conditions you are driving in, and adjust your speed accordingly. Apply brakes smoothly and drive slowly to ensure that your tires grip the road adequately. If you find yourself stuck in standing water, don’t try to drive out of it – exit your car or get off your motorcycle safely and call for help.
2. Animals
Dogs, cats, and deer can run into your path without warning. Although nobody wants to injure or kill an animal, you also need to take yourself, your passengers, and other drivers into account.
Your first reaction may be to swerve to try and miss the animal, but it’s better to apply your brakes and hope that the animal moves out of the way before you hit it.
In the event that an animal runs into your path, breaking is better than swerving because it lessens the chances that you will have a head-on collision with an oncoming car or veer dangerously off the road. You can also honk your horn and flash your lights to try to scare the animal so it leaves the road.
3. Ice
Like water, ice on roads can cause you to skid and slide out of control because creates a slippery layer, breaking the friction between your tires and the road.
While your first instinct may be to slam on the brakes, you should take your foot off the accelerator.
Focus on which direction you want to go, and start steering the car or motorcycle in that direction. You may need to use the brakes but do so carefully and slowly. If you know you are going to be driving on ice or snow and you can’t avoid it, you should know how to drive in winter conditions.
4. Potholes
Potholes are the result of wear and tear and weathering on roads. They cause uneven holes and cracks in the asphalt, and they can damage your car or cause a serious accident if you’re not careful.
Hitting a large pothole at speed can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and have a collision. To avoid hitting potholes, stay alert, slow down, and carefully drive around them. Keep control of your vehicle by firmly holding onto your steering wheel.
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