Adverse Weather Conditions
With the season’s first snowfall behind us, let’s take a closer look at the kinds of adverse weather conditions you can encounter while driving.
![](https://www.247drive.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/17-1-300x201.jpg)
![](https://www.247drive.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/17-2-300x201.jpg)
![](https://www.247drive.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/17-3-300x220.jpg)
![](https://www.247drive.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/17-4-300x225.jpg)
These are commonly encountered adverse weather conditions that drivers deal with frequently. So, when you drive in these types of conditions, it is important to remember the following:
- Reduce your speed.
- Braking distances are directly related to your speed, so slow down during bad weather.
- Increase your following distance.
- Adverse weather conditions make everything more difficult, so give yourself enough room to make proper decision and avoid a possible crash with the vehicle in front of you.
- Turn on your headlights.
- You must be able to see, but it’s even more important that other drivers can see you.
- Use your low-beams. Do not blind other drivers and avoid blinding yourself (heavy snow, fog and rain reflect light).
- Turn on your windshield wipers.
- When the lights come on during adverse conditions, so do your wipers—it’s Virginia law!
- Do not brake abruptly.
- Sudden, sharp braking may cause you to hydroplane during heavy rains or lose traction on snow and icy road surfaces.
- Increase your patience.
- The worse the weather gets, the shorter our patience grows. Take the opposite approach and be patient so you get to your destination safely.
- Drive defensively.
- Adopt a defensive-minded attitude and be the more courteous driver on the road.
Make it a safe trip during these difficult driving conditions—drive defensively.
Happy driving! Drive Safely!