It should be obvious at this point, but for whatever reason, the second there’s an announcement for bad weather, such as a tornado warning, blizzard, flash flood warning, you name it, there seems to be an influx of drivers on the road.
Sometimes, people commute from work, and it seems as if others think, “I need to go to the grocery store right now,” or some even go on a joy ride. Sure, sometimes, there are justified reasons, and you have no choice, but other times, you’re just best staying where you are.
Even if you’re on a trip, like a road trip, and you’re determined to get to Point B at a certain time, well, in that case, it’s best to pull over or head to a parking lot (preferably a parking garage) until this all blows over. What if your brake needs repair? Driving in bad weather is basically begging for a crash. But is that all? But still, why can’t you just keep on driving through all of this?
You Can Expect Vehicle Damage
Oh yes, you can expect plenty of vehicle damage at this point, as most types of unpleasant weather can cause something awful. For example, if you’re driving in a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning, there’s going to be debris that’s going to hit your car, and there’s going to be large hail stones that’ll hit your car, too.
Now, these won’t only cause dents, but most likely, you’ll need auto glass replacement, too, due to the potential cracks you’re going to get on your windows. All these little fixes (and big fixes) can all add up, and it’s going to get really expensive, too. Is this something that you’d actually want to deal with?
You’re Potentially Straining Emergency Services
Why put yourself in an accident if you know you’ll do that? You seriously need to understand that when accidents happen during bad weather, emergency services are often stretched thin. Firefighters, paramedics, and police officers are already working under challenging conditions, and every additional accident or breakdown puts more strain on these critical services. So, just by staying off the roads, you help ensure that emergency responders can focus on the most urgent cases without being overwhelmed.
Unpredictable Road Conditions
That’s the beauty and the scary thing about the weather: this can change rapidly, and what starts as a light drizzle can quickly turn into a torrential downpour or a full-blown blizzard. Roads that were passable just a few minutes ago can become treacherous in an instant.
Black ice, which is nearly invisible on the road surface, is especially dangerous and can catch even the most cautious drivers off guard (most around bridges and wet areas). If you’re on a road trip and don’t even know these roads or their dangers, then it’s only going to become even more dangerous too. So, just by avoiding the roads during bad weather, you eliminate the risk of encountering these sudden, unpredictable hazards.
You’ll Be Too Stressed
Have you ever driven in bad weather? It’s way too stressful. Sure, if you’re going on a road trip, it’s going to happen a lot, but regardless, you’re still putting yourself and so many others at risk. It’s hard to drive safely when you’re stressed. When you’re very stressed, you’re usually going to become more physically drained as well.
