Houston drivers typically aren’t forced to drive in the snow, and our city isn’t normally subjected to the freezing rain common in the northern parts of the state. However, Houston drivers who take road trips elsewhere in the state may be forced to drive in bad weather conditions that can make the roads more dangerous.
There are many safe driving practices people can adopt in these scenarios to reduce their risk of being involved in car crashes.
Adjusting Your Speed
Although there’s no explicit bad weather speed limit, Texas Transportation Code does require drivers to operate their vehicle at a “reasonable and prudent” speed based on the conditions in which they are driving.
Reasonable and prudent is the kind of vague and subjective language that can make life difficult for law enforcement, lawyers and drivers, since one person’s definition of prudent could be another person’s idea of needlessly excessive caution.
It’s often safer to err on the side of caution to avoid tickets and accidents. If you are involved in an accident during bad weather, you could be found liable if the accident investigators determine you were driving too fast for the weather conditions.
Maintaining a Safe Follow Distance
Rear-end collisions are common in bad weather. They are often caused by an individual following too closely behind the car in front of them. Typically, the following driver who rearends the car in front of them will be liable for the accident and any injuries.
Bad weather can greatly increase the chance of these accidents. Wheels can slip and vehicles can hydroplane when roads are icy or wet.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to double your normal follow distance during bad weather. When it’s snowing or roads are icy, giving at least an eight to 10 second space can be appropriate. During foggy conditions or rainy weather, having at least six to eight seconds can usually compensate for reduced visibility and wet road conditions.
Drivers Are Responsible for Vehicle Maintenance
A driver cannot escape liability for accidents or injuries they cause by blaming the weather or the condition of their brakes or tires. Every driver in Texas is responsible for ensuring their headlights, windshield wipers, taillights and tires are in good working condition. It is the car owner and driver’s fault if a vehicle cannot be operated safely in adverse weather due to inadequate maintenance.
It’s important to note that this rule applies to taillights. Although rear-end accidents are usually the fault of the following driver, broken taillights can make the leading vehicle driver liable. If visibility is poor and the following driver collides with the leading car because they couldn’t tell the car was slowing down or stopping, the following driver might not be liable for the crash or the resulting injuries.
Driving in Bad Weather
- Slow down: Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises reducing speed by one-third on wet roads and half or more on snow-packed and icy roads, that is not technically a legal requirement for Texas drivers. Slowing down to some degree is still a good idea if weather conditions compromise traction or visibility.
- Increase follow distance: Allowing more stopping distance when roads are slippery is one of the most dependable ways to avoid rear-end accidents when it’s raining or snowing.
- Use headlights appropriately: Using high beams in foggy conditions can actually reduce visibility. The particles in the air can reflect the light back toward your vehicle and make it harder to see what’s in front of you.
- Avoid sudden movements: Gradually changing speed, braking and steering greatly reduces the risk of losing control of your vehicle when roads are slick.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident in Houston?
People injured in car crashes in the Houston area can trust the Weycer Law Firm for experienced and aggressive legal representation. We have extensive experience negotiating and litigating auto accident cases and are ready to fight for you. Call us at (713) 668-4545 for a free case evaluation