What to do if you are caught driving in storms

With nearly 44 million people expected this weekend across the United States and nearly 39 million people expected to drive according to AAA, there is an increased risk of experiencing potentially strong to severe storms.

There are many dangers when driving in storms that can increase the risk of an accident. The best thing people should do is make sure they stay active in monitoring storm conditions by speaking to the local meteorologist in your area. Be sure to pay attention to the timing of storms to stay off the roads during this time.

If you find yourself driving through a storm with heavy downpours, be sure to turn on your headlights while you drive. It is a Missouri state law to turn your headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. This helps warn other vehicles of your location in the event of reduced visibility.

If you notice conditions worsening, some people may turn on their hazard lights while driving. This is not against any Missouri law, but you should make sure to close them once conditions improve. If conditions deteriorate rapidly and your visibility becomes significantly reduced, you should try to park in a driveway or business and remain stationary until conditions improve. If you cannot park in one of these two options and are forced to park on the shoulder of a highway, make sure you park deep into the shoulder and if possible even in the grass at outside the shoulder. Other drivers are at increased risk of hydroplaning or hitting you due to reduced visibility. So you want to get further away from them.

If hail becomes a problem while driving, do not park under overpasses or bridges and pull over. This creates a traffic buildup that puts more people at risk of crashing behind you because they may need to stop in a short period of time.

Worst case scenario, if a tornado begins moving toward you while you are driving, the best thing you can do is get to a structure such as a nearby business. If this is not an option, you should get in the car and cover your head with your hands or some sort of sturdy protection. Another option is to find a low ditch and lie down in that ditch, again protecting your head. Avoid sheltering under overpasses and bridges at all costs, as this will act like a wind tunnel that will only increase the tornado’s winds and lead to an increased risk of injury or death from debris being thrown around you at all costs. increased speeds.