Though winter is often considered the dangerous driving season, spring brings its own hazards to remain aware of.
5 Safety Tips for Spring Driving
In the past, we’ve shared some springtime maintenance tips that can help you ensure your vehicle is safe and in optimal condition for the warmer months. But did you know that with spring comes along a number of seasonal driving dangers and hazards? To make you aware of some of them, we’ve put together our list of 5 safety tips for spring driving.
[Related: How to get your car ready for spring]
Roadway Hazards to Avoid While Driving in the Spring
Spring showers bring wet roads: You’ve certainly heard it said the spring flowers bring May flowers, but rain combined with melting snow can add up to really wet conditions. This can make things slick for your driving, so go slow and avoid hydroplaning. [Read more: Know what to do if your car starts to hydroplane]- Pothole season: While summer is generally roadwork season when a lot of the maintenance and repair on our roadways takes place, winter is often the season that makes all of that roadwork necessary. Snow plows, salt and overall harsh conditions can make for some rough roadways in the spring, and this includes potholes, so avoid them to limit damage to your vehicle.
- Unexpected freezing: Spring may be coming into bloom but that doesn’t mean a surprise temperature drop can’t take place. Sometimes, especially at night, temperature can drop low enough to cause roads to ice over. Watch the temperature closely to avoid black ice or other icy conditions. [Read more: Know what to do if you encounter black ice]
- Watch for motorcycles and bicycles: Spring is also the season for motorcycles and bicycles, adding an additional hazard for you to watch out for if you’re driving a car. Give motorcyclists and bicyclists plenty of space.
- Active animals: Animal activity also seems to increase post-winter. You’ll likely see more of them crossing roadways, so be on the lookout and watch the side of the roads carefully, especially at night when their eyes may illuminate.
These are just our top 5 safety tips for spring driving, but there are certainly many more. If you have any tip of your own, feel free to share them with us and others in the comments below.