The spring and early summer months may require you to adjust your driving habits a little, especially if you were driving all winter. While you might not have to leave home as early as you do when it’s snowing, you should still make sure that you leave plenty of time to get to your destination so you aren’t rushed.
You also need to make sure that you’re following some basic driving safety rules so that you don’t contribute to an accident. While these might seem simple, they can go a long way toward keeping you safe.
Double check your vehicle
You must ensure your vehicle is in the right shape for your trip. Check the windshield wipers and fluid, as well as the tires. Spring and summer showers could require you to use the wipers, but they won’t be able to whisk away water if they aren’t in good shape. The fluid can help to remove road grime that can leave streaks. Tires should have ample tread and be properly inflated so they can grip the road. This is especially important if it’s raining.
Leave enough distance
Following other vehicles too closely can lead to crashes. You should leave at least three seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If it’s raining or if the roads are slick, increase this to eight seconds. To determine how far you are from the vehicle, pick a roadside object and start counting seconds between that car’s rear bumper and your car’s front bumper using the object as the time marker.
Watch for obstacles
After the snow and ice melt, the roads will likely have potholes. These might not be filled in promptly so you’ll have to watch for them throughout the year. If possible, drive around them. If you can’t do so safely, try to just drive straight over it without having your foot on the brake at the moment the tires hit the hole.
Even when you’re driving safely, there’s a chance that others won’t do the same. You might be struck by another driver. If this occurs, get the medical care you need for your injuries. Once that’s done, you might choose to seek compensation for the financial damages you’ve suffered, as well as the ones you’ll suffer in the future due to the crash. You can do this through a civil lawsuit, but you only have a limited time so be sure to act quickly.