During adverse weather conditions, what should you do while driving?

When driving in adverse weather conditions, reducing speed and increasing your following distance is essential for safety. Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can significantly impact road traction, visibility, and the overall handling of your vehicle.

By reducing your speed, you give yourself more time to react to sudden changes in the road or behavior of other drivers, which can be crucial in preventing accidents. Increased following distance allows you to have adequate space to stop without risking a collision if the vehicle in front of you decreases its speed abruptly. In these conditions, a greater margin for error is needed because stopping distances can be longer than usual due to slippery surfaces.

Maintaining normal speed could lead to loss of control or inability to respond effectively to hazards. Driving only during daylight hours, while it may reduce some risks, does not address the fundamental need for adjusting your operations during an adverse weather situation, as hazards can occur regardless of the time of day. Using high beam headlights can reflect off precipitation, worsening visibility, and is generally not advised in such conditions. Therefore, the proper action in adverse weather is indeed to reduce speed and increase your following distance for safer driving.