Extreme Weather Causes Hazards On Mississippi’s Roads

There were 690 fatalities on Mississippi roadways in 2016. In addition to distracted driving, DUI’s, and other driver-made errors, harsh weather conditions increase the risk of car accidents in the state. From thunderstorms to sudden flash floods, it’s important that residents know how to keep themselves and others safe while out on the roads when the weather is less than ideal.

The risks involved

Mississippi is home to several factors that can make the roads dangerous, including a climate that is prone to thunderstorms, flash flooding, tornadoes and tropical storms. Severe storms can bring low visibility, slick roads and high winds, and also lead to fallen trees in the road – not to mention other debris that can make roads dangerous to drive on. Weather conditions have caused several car accidents in Clinton – for example, in August of 2019, one woman lost her life in the hospital after her vehicle crashed off an interstate and submerged into a flooded creek. However, this isn’t an isolated event – accidents happen all year round due to weather-related conditions.  Mississippi’s rural roads are also a risk factor in how the weather can affect driving, as they can be more prone to flooding, which isn’t always a well-known fact to every driver.

Vehicle preparations

Preparing your vehicle is important if you’re to stay safe in extreme weather conditions, and there are a few ways to do so. One simple way to keep your vehicle prepared is to keep a kit in your vehicle, with blankets, food, a flashlight, and other necessary tools. This can give you peace of mind in case you encounter bad weather while out and about. Ensuring that your tire’s tread is adequate can also help to reduce the risk of slipping on slick roads during heavy rainfall, though depending on your line of work, you may want to consider putting special tires on work vehicles as well – for instance, tracks for bobcats can help against skidding on wet surfaces for construction workers.

Safety tips for driving in bad weather

There are several things you can do while driving to stay safe in harsh weather conditions. In addition to driving slowly, staying alert, using windshield wipers, and other typical safety precautions while it’s raining, harsher conditions like thunderstorms should be taken with even more caution. While you shouldn’t hop in your car for a drive when a storm is predicted, there are chances that you could be caught in one while driving. If you find yourself driving during a thunderstorm with low visibility, pulling over to wait it out is often your best bet for staying safe. As for flash flooding, if you happen to spot flooding on the roads, turning around is always the better option, and the National Weather Service campaign “Turn Around Don’t Drown” warns drivers and pedestrians to not risk driving or walking into floodwaters, no matter how shallow they may seem. No matter the situation, keeping up daily with the weather forecasts and weather alerts can always help to keep you in the know regarding what to expect on your drive.

In Clinton, Mississippi, it’s highly likely you’ll encounter harsh weather conditions at some point in the year. Whether it be a thunderstorm or flash flood, there are several ways to keep yourself and other drivers safe – even if it means staying off the roads altogether.