NEW ORLEANS, La. — Severe weather stretching across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi over the next several days has prompted officials to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution. Flash flooding, slick roadways, and poor visibility are creating hazardous travel environments that require immediate adjustments to standard driving habits.
According to safety metrics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a mere foot of moving water is capable of sweeping away standard passenger cars, while two feet of rushing water can displace larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs.
To navigate these dangerous conditions safely, drivers should implement the following adjustments:
Reduce speeds significantly and maintain a greater distance from the vehicle ahead to compensate for increased braking times on slick asphalt.
Avoid any roadway covered by water and seek alternative routes rather than attempting to cross.
Keep headlights toggled on to boost vehicle visibility, but refrain from activating high beams during heavy downpours.
Leave hazard lights off while the vehicle is in motion, reserving them strictly for moments when completely stopped.
Respond to hydroplaning by remaining calm, lifting off the accelerator, and keeping the steering wheel pointed straight ahead.
Apply brakes earlier and with less force than usual to avoid skidding.
Give wide clearance to semi-trucks and other large vehicles to avoid the heavy road spray that blinds trailing drivers.
Clear window condensation by running the vehicle defrosters alongside the air conditioning system.
Monitor local weather reports prior to departure, budget extra time for the commute, and verify that an emergency kit is inside the vehicle.
Drivers who encounter conditions too severe for safe travel should locate a secure area to pull off the roadway entirely until the storm passes.