EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Rain in this week’s forecast means the chance for slicker road conditions. The Texas Department of Transportation in El Paso (TxDOT) has five safety tips for drivers to avoid weather-related incidents.
“First is make sure your vehicle is road ready. That means your tires have the correct pressure and enough tread so that they can grip the road in wet weather. Then make sure your wipers are in good condition. They dry out here in El Paso,” said Jennifer Wright, a public information officer with TxDOT El Paso.
Wright said, if possible, avoid driving during heavy storms. If you do have to head out, make sure your headlights are on.
She also advises drivers to reduce their speed and increase their following distance. Giving yourself ample time to react to drivers around you puts you and others in the safest position.
“Next, you should avoid hard breaking and sharp turns. Our roads are always slick at the very beginning of a rainstorm before water has washed off the accumulated fluids that tend to be there on a roadway,” said Wright.
“The one thing about El Paso is that we have longer dry spells. And during those dry spells is when you would tend to have the accumulation of oils in brake fluids and other fluids that would accumulate on a roadway over a long period of time without being washed away by rain,” she said.
Lastly, Wright said drivers should heed the warning “turn around, don’t drown.” According to TxDOT it only takes 1 foot of rushing water to carry away a small car and 2 feet to carry away most vehicles.
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