If you've ever been nervous when driving in heavy fog or rain, you get it. Weather conditions certainly play a role in road safety, and auto accidents. There's no way around it, bad weather means more accidents.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there are on average, more than 5,800,000 auto accidents each year in the United States. Of those, 23% are weather-related, nearly 1,312,000.
Bad weather conditions, include:
- Rain
- Sleet
- Snow
- Fog
- Icy pavement
- Slick pavement
- Snowy or slushy pavement
- Severe crosswinds
- Blowing sand, snow or debris
The FHWA reports that on average, more than 6,250 people are killed and over 480,000 people are injured as a result of weather-related accidents annually.
Of the weather-related crashes, the vast majority occur on wet pavement during rainfall. According to the FHWA, a whopping 74% of accidents occur on wet pavement, and another 46% occur while it's raining.
A much smaller percentage occur during winter conditions: 17% involve snow or sleet, 13% occur with icy pavement, and 14% of crashes occur on snowy or slushy pavement. Surprisingly, a mere 3% of accidents occur in dense fog. (Source: Ten-year averages from 2002 to 2012, based on NHTSA data).
Rainy Weather Increases Crash Risk
As the research suggests, one of the most dangerous times to drive is when it's raining or when the pavement is wet, fresh from a rainstorm. When it's raining, it's important for drivers to stop driving on "autopilot," and instead adjust their thinking.
When conditions are wet, drivers must stay alert and focus on their surroundings. This means turning on the headlights (it's the law in every state), slowing down, ensuring that you don't have threadbare wipers, and remembering to let off the accelerator, and steer straight when you're hydroplaning.
If you have been involved in a weather-related crash, use our directory to find a car accident lawyer near you!