Driving in the Rain in Florida - Don't Panic

Rain is simply part of South Florida dwelling. If it weren’t for the amount of the precipitation that we get, this space wouldn’t be as lush and exquisite as it’s, and it would not draw the 1000’s of transplant residents and vacationers that it does. Sadly, it appears to create panic in a variety of our drivers.We’ve all seen this occur. One minute visitors appears to be buzzing alongside simply tremendous, then 4 fats raindrops fall and brake lights begin lighting up like Christmas decorations in Occasions Sq.. We get A LOT of rain right here. Whether or not its hurricane season or simply one other of the thunderstorms which appear to happen day by day, the probabilities of you having to drive in moist climate are nice. In reality, it occurs so continuously that a few of us barely even discover these storms anymore.It’s no coincidence that there are such a lot of visitors accidents throughout or simply after a rainstorm. Invariably one in every of two issues occur. Both many drivers have a knee-jerk response and begin slamming on their brakes, whereas many others fail to regulate their driving habits to the circumstances that exist on the time. The latter of the 2 reactions may end up in the issuance of the infamous “driving too fast for conditions” visitors ticket.Oh, it is a tough little ticket. I say that as a result of regardless of the circumstances, when you’ve got an accident wherever within the nation, whether or not as a result of rain, snow, solar glare, potholes, no matter, you may obtain a visitors quotation for “driving too fast for conditions.” Is not that handy? It’s tantamount to the legislation saying there isn’t any legitimate purpose for having a visitors accident – you should have simply been dashing. This paves the way in which for a cop to put in writing you an arbitrary visitors quotation utilizing little or no rule of measure aside from his personal discretion.In keeping with Florida GS 316.183, “No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.” There’s that phrase once more that you simply so typically he me hear me quote when I’m making reference to Florida visitors legal guidelines – prudent.Ah, prudent. Using such language in our Florida visitors legislation statutes makes the interpretation of these legal guidelines fairly imprecise and open to particular person interpretation. It additionally makes it simple for cops to seek out causes to situation visitors tickets. In some circumstances, nevertheless, it’s useful to an excellent visitors ticket lawyer who can typically discover loopholes within the validity of your visitors ticket. In spite of everything, requirements equivalent to “reasonable” and “prudent” are subjective to all events concerned.It’s best to nonetheless severely take into account the way you react when it begins raining. Strive to not endanger your self or others by reacting instantly. All the time attempt to give these round you loads of warning that you’re going to decelerate. Slamming in your brakes in a panic solely will increase the chances of being in a visitors accident.For these of you who take the method to a sudden rain storm of “Just continue to drive as usual,” take into account modifying your present driving habits so they’re higher suited to the South Florida climate. Take into consideration the assorted elements that happen which exist solely when it’s raining. This contains these drivers that do overreact and in addition the diminished traction that happens when there’s water on the street. The previous leads to different drivers not having the ability to anticipate the actions of somebody who will get slightly freaked out whereas driving within the rain – which frequently results in automobile accidents. The latter situation is difficult by not solely the lack of traction, but in addition oil from earlier automobiles being lifted off the street floor by the rain. This simply makes the break in traction even that rather more harmful.In terms of our thrilling but scary tropical storms that we get, there are variables that must be thought-about. The quantity of rain could be extremely unpredictable – these 4 fats rain drops I discussed early can evolve into a gradual rain one minute and a torrential downpour the subsequent which might obfuscate your view. Once you issue within the rolling in of darkish clouds instantly that add to diminished visibility, aged drivers, youngsters, and the inexperienced vacationers who’re not sure the way to react to our distinctive climate patterns, and people drivers who simply do not know what to do in dangerous climate, then our roads and highways tackle the illusion of a billiards desk.It could possibly grow to be a attempting expertise for these of us who’re used to Florida’s erratic climate as we play dodgeball on the highways attempting to stay away from these drivers who’re freaking out or in any other case reacting inappropriately to the circumstances. Thankfully for these of us who’re accustomed to such furry driving circumstances, there are those that instantly hit their emergency flashers which is identical factor as the driving force yelling out the window, “I am a lousy driver who doesn’t know how to drive in poor weather so keep AWAY from me.” No downside, buddy. Stop taking on two lanes, and I’ll gladly move you so you’re not a risk to my well-being.Clearly, a lot of what I say right here is tongue-in-cheek as a result of I’m an enormous proponent of protected driving; nevertheless, when your worry response is so nice that it places others at excessive threat, please simply pull over and permit others to proceed safely. There may be nothing so pressing that it is advisable to threat your welfare or that of anybody else. Moreover, with the climate in Florida, the probability of this storm lasting for an prolonged interval is sort of small. Stopping for a soda or bottled water will most likely give the storm ample time to maneuver out of the realm. There is no such thing as a have to level fingers as a result of these drivers know who they’re.In the event you do get a visitors quotation for reckless driving, driving too quick for circumstances, or aggressive driving that lead to an accident, the police officer would not all the time have the final phrase. Many occasions the cop’s model of occasions relies upon suppositions that type even when he isn’t current on the time of the accident. Understand that one of many issues that he makes use of in assigning blame is what you and the opposite driver say, so do not confess to something and preserve your dialog minimal. We’ve years of expertise in taking these visitors tickets and discovering the failings which will exist within the cop’s model of occasions. Give us a name for a free session at (954) 967-9888 in order that we are able to advise you as to your greatest plan of action.