Road conditions, including the weather, have a direct impact on road safety. People expect their risk of a motor vehicle collision to increase during times of inclement weather. The snow and sleet that fall during the colder months obviously affect driving risks.
Intense wind and hail can also make driving more dangerous. Even lightning storms have the potential to distract drivers and impact their ability to monitor their surroundings. Researchers looking at weather conditions when crashes occur can establish reasonable connections between road conditions and collision risk. When looking at the weather conditions when crashes occur, one factor actually connects several types of poor weather.
Wet pavement is the top weather-related road hazard
Snow, hail and sleet only account for a minority of the crashes that occur each year. Roughly 15% of weather-related wrecks occur during snowfall or sleet, and 24% of crashes occur when there is ice, snow or slush on the road.
Rainstorms are actually more dangerous, as active precipitation is a factor in 47% of all weather-related collisions. However, active precipitation is not necessary for increased collision risk. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration’s Road Weather Management Program, three-fourths of the weather-related crashes reported occur on wet pavement.
Even after the rain or snow stops falling, drivers may still be at elevated risk of a wreck. Those driving during or after storms generally need to modify their traffic behaviors for improved safety. Slower speeds help people maintain control on slick roads.
Increasing following distance is also important so that people can stop their vehicles without rear-ending someone else because wet pavement affects tire traction. Motorists generally have an obligation to adapt their habits based on traffic conditions and the weather. People who fail to do so are liable if they cause crashes.
Learning more about the factors that influence collision risk can help people make safer decisions. Wet pavement is a common contributing factor in many car wrecks, and drivers who recognize this risk may be less likely to cause a crash. Motorists who don’t adjust their conduct to reflect unsafe road conditions may be at fault for a crash and responsible for the costs incurred by others accordingly.