As seasons change and temperatures drop, frequent rain, hail, and ice make driving more dangerous than ever. Seattle averages 152 rainy days a year, which is more than most U.S. cities, according to the Weather Channel.
Many drivers, especially students, avoid driving in the rain because of the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose contact with the ground due to excess water, causing a loss of traction, steering, and braking ability. Senior Oliver McElwee (he/him) said that many student drivers underestimate how hazardous rain can be and often do not take enough precautions to drive safely.
“Last year, there were quite a few people I knew who hydroplaned,” McElwee said. “Rain is a really big thing. People don’t think it has an impact, but it really does.”
Sophomore Aliyah Trammel (she/her) also said some drivers don’t adjust their speed to account for the weather, often causing them to lose control of the vehicle and drive erratically.
“People tend to swerve a lot more, and then they drive too slow or too fast,” Trammel said.
In situations like these, McElwee said paying attention to other drivers is critical, especially since many drivers slow down in bad weather. Matching the speed of surrounding traffic can help reduce the risk of hydroplaning, rear-ending the car in front, or becoming the victim of a rear-end accident. McElwee also stressed that maintaining full control of the vehicle and staying focused on the road is one of the most effective ways to remain safe during stormy weather.
Daylight savings time, which leads to earlier sunsets, can also increase the risk of accidents. In a Nordic survey of 55 students, 8 people said they had been in an accident due to darkness, and 41 people said darkness caused them to slow down out of caution. Trammel said that she nearly had an accident with a driver who was traveling without headlights.
“I was at an all-way stop, and I looked all the ways, and then a car just came out of nowhere,” Trammel said. “They were at the stop sign. They didn’t zoom through, but I slammed on my brakes so I didn’t hit them.”
Senior Jamie Brown (she/her) witnessed a multi-vehicle collision on the freeway when driving at dusk. She said a driver who failed to slow down rear-ended a car in front, leading to a four-car pile-up.
“Seeing a crash like that and knowing how people can get killed and things like that definitely makes me want to be more aware of my surroundings and aware of cars around me,” Brown said.
Careless drivers can pose a large threat to others on the road. McElwee said many student drivers aren’t always aware of how to use the different lighting features in their cars. He has noticed many drivers driving with high beams and others driving with no headlights at all.
“I feel like a lot of people, too, don’t really know when they’re using their different kind of lights, especially younger drivers,” McElwee said. “A lot of my friends don’t even know where their fog lights are, which I think is kind of dangerous.”
McElwee said it is important to know what type of lights to use when driving. In addition, McElwee takes other precautions, like heating up his car before driving to clear fog and frost and ensuring his windshield is clear of obstructions to protect other drivers and remain safe in bad weather.
“Just be super vigilant. Understand what you’re getting into. Research ahead of time what the conditions are going to be, especially if you’re going on a long road trip or something,” McElwee said. “Just making sure you’re prepared and understand the conditions.”
Despite unsafe conditions on the road, Brown said that many people still need to travel for responsibilities like school. Students within walking distance or who waived in without a bus stop still need to get to school, regardless of the weather.
“It’s definitely more dangerous,” Brown said. “If you don’t have alternate transportation, you have to drive in dangerous conditions.”
For new drivers, Brown said it’s important to take it slow. She said she learned in driving school to slow down in darker lighting and slippery conditions. Brown also emphasizes the importance of being aware of the resources inside of a car.
“Definitely know your car,” Brown said. “If you have all-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, your bright lights, fog lights—you can use your resources within the car to deal with the different situations.
