Posted by Christopher Heylin on Fri, Mar 30, 2012 @ 08:37 AM
Thunderstorms & Lightening: 10 Safe Driving Tips
April showers bring May flowers—unless it’s New England, where unpredictable weather (remember the April Fool’s snowstorm last year? We blocked it out, too.) is the norm. This spring has been so warm that many of the flowers are already here, but the rains are not.
Flowers or no flowers, here are some driving tips that can help keep you and your family safe during flash thunderstorms and lightening that can cause flash flooding, downed power lines and trees, and make roadways treacherous in just seconds:
Check the weather in your area to stay up to date about approaching storms. If there is a severe storm watch, don’t drive unless you absolutely have to.- Turn your headlights on and slow down for safety. Give yourself plenty of space between cars for braking.
- If you’re driving in the middle of a storm, pull over to the shoulder of the road away from possible falling trees or tree limbs.
- Stay in your car with the hazard lights on until heavy rains and winds subside.
- You’re safer staying inside your car, which provides better insulation from lightening.
- During a lightening storm, don’t touch any metal conducting surfaces inside or outside your car.
- Use caution when approaching intersections; treat traffic lights as stop signs.
- Don’t drive on flooded roadways.
- Avoid fallen power lines.
- Make sure your windshield wipers and tires are in good condition and are ready for severe weather.
Anything we missed? Let us know in the comment section below!
Headquartered in Boston, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation provides auto insurance to personal and commercial auto insurance customers in MA and CT. Plymouth Rock is the flagship carrier of The Plymouth Rock Group of Companies, which together write and manage over $1 billion in auto and homeowner’s insurance throughout the Northeast.
Source: Weather.com