Safety Tips for Driving in Severe Weather Conditions in Tennessee and Kentucky

Inclement Weather in Tennessee and Kentucky

Tennessee and Kentucky are home to beautiful landscapes, lush, green fields, and gorgeous mountain areas. Both states have versatile terrains, and both states have versatile weather patterns that can affect driving conditions mile by mile. When it comes to weather, both states are well known for their intense thunderstorms, heavy rains, and straight-line winds. As summer approaches, these thunderstorms and other severe weather events can affect driving, and oftentimes are the cause of car accidents in Kentucky and Tennessee that cause serious injuries. So, what should you do when driving in bad weather conditions?

In The Article

Plan Ahead Before Driving in Inclement Weather

While severe weather in Kentucky and Tennessee can sometimes be unpredictable, forecasting has come a long way over the years, and drivers are able plan their trips ahead based on the weather to properly prepare for conditions that could lead to car wrecks.
You may be thinking that you can’t just skip work if there is going to be a rainstorm, but if you’re planning a trip that is a little more flexible, you can check the forecast and rearrange plans to leave later or earlier than your original expected departure.
Additionally, having the proper safety items in your vehicle can help you in case of a weather emergency while you’re on the road. Here are some items to keep in your vehicle:

1. Blankets: They are handy when you’re stranded in the cold. Even if it’s summer, nights can get cold, especially after big storms.
2. Road Flares: In case of a road emergency, whether an accident or vehicle breakdown, road flares help alert other drivers of dangers. They are bright enough to be seen through low visibility driving conditions and can prevent injury or wreck.
3. Flashlight and batteries: If you’re driving at night in bad weather, you may find that a flashlight and batteries are good to have on hand if you breakdown.
4. Cell phone charger: Cell phones have become a great way to alert authorities of accidents and report dangers in the roads. If you pass a tree in the road, you can report it to the nonemergency number in the area you’re in, and this will help them clear the roads or at least warn other drivers.

Having the right tools in your vehicle at all times is important, but it’s especially important in severe weather conditions.

What to do If You’re Driving Through a Severe Thunderstorm

Thunderstorms are common this time of year in Kentucky and Tennessee, and people can’t just avoid driving altogether when a forecast calls for severe weather. So, what should you do if you’re driving in adverse weather conditions like a severe thunderstorm?

1. Slow Down
   Thunderstorms can decrease visibility due to large amounts of rains and winds that blow around dust and debris. This is even more true for nighttime thunderstorms, as your car’s headlights can reflect off the rain, making the road less visible. Slowing your vehicle down is essential. If you’re worried that you’re driving too slow on Kentucky or Tennessee backroads (which tend to be dark with a lot of curves and hills), turn on your vehicles hazard lights to alert other drivers that you’re driving under the speed limit. This will signal them to slow down.
2. Turn on Your Headlights
   You’ll most likely have your headlights on during nighttime thunderstorms but having them on during adverse weather conditions in the daytime can potentially save your life. While having your headlights on during the day may not help you as the driver, it can help other drivers see you. Increasing the visibility of your vehicle in inclement weather conditions can keep everyone on the road safer.
3. Increase Following Distance
   With wet roads comes slippery conditions. Because of these slippery conditions, your car might not be able to stop as quickly as it could on dry pavement. Therefore, it’s essential to keep a safer distance between your car and the car ahead of you.
4. Keep Your Windows Rolled Up
   While you may think everyone will have their windows rolled up when it’s raining, some people like having the rain splash them while driving. However, it’s far safer to have your windows rolled up completely during a thunderstorm. If lightning were to strike your vehicle, you have far less chance of being electrocuted if your windows are up.
5. Find a Safe Place to Stop
   If weather conditions get so bad that you are unable to see the road, traffic lights, or other markers, it’s best to find a place to stop. Stopping on the side of the road can be dangerous, so, if possible, find a service station or convenient store to stop at to wait out the storm. Thunderstorms generally move rather quickly and stopping for 20-30 minutes to avoid driving in a thunderstorm can save your life in the long run.
6. Avoid Overpasses
   There is never a good time to stop your car under an overpass. If you are driving through a thunderstorm that is producing large hail, stopping under an overpass can cause an accident, slow traffic down (endangering other people), and ultimately lead to disaster if a tornado occurs in that area. It’s best to get off at the next exit and find a safe place to wait out the storm.

What to do if You’re Driving in a Tornado

Living in Tennessee or Kentucky, you probably have had tons of tornado drills during school, but no one really shows you what to do if you’re driving in a tornadic storm.

Luckily, there are a lot of sources that can help you prepare.

Here are a few things you can do if you’re caught in a tornado while driving:

If you’re traveling in an area that has a tornado outlook, be sure to download a weather app that has up-to-date radar and a warning system. In nearly every case of tornadoes, an early warning system is your best chance of survival. If you’re driving alone, be sure to have warning alerts set on your phone, so you can monitor when you should seek shelter. If you have a passenger, be sure they are equipped with a warning system that they can monitor while you drive.

Do Not Attempt to Outrun the Tornado

You may see storm chasers on YouTube following storms and recording them, but the truth is what they do is very dangerous, and some chasers get caught in tornadoes that severely damage their vehicles and even injure them.

It’s also important to note that not all tornadoes are perfect funnels that follow a single direction. Rain wrapped tornadoes are invisible to the naked eye and are often only seen on radar. These tornadoes tend to be particularly dangerous, not only because they cannot be seen, but also because they are oftentimes larger and more intense than other types of tornadoes.

So, if you hear a tornado warning, don’t go trying to see where the tornado is to avoid it. Just get to shelter as soon as possible.

Find the Nearest Shelter

Meteorologists are getting better at identifying possible tornadoes via radar and from professional storm spotters. If you see that you’re driving through an area with a tornado warning, you may have time to get to shelter. If you’re on the highway, get off at the next exit and find a building to wait out the storm. You may not get hit by the storm, but safety in shelter is your best bet for survival.

Sheltering in Your Car

If you’re unable to get to a shelter, one of the most dangerous places to be during a tornado is your vehicle. However, if you’re unable to leave your car, get as low as possible in the vehicle and cover yourself with blankets and pillows, if possible.

Abandon Your Vehicle

If the tornado is coming at your quickly, and you can’t get away, and there is no shelter around you, abandoning your vehicle to find a ditch, ravine, or low spot is the best way to protect yourself. Tornadoes have a lot of large debris with them, but the winds are moving fast, so getting as low as possible decreases your chances of getting hit with debris. NEVER seek shelter under an overpass. Overpasses become suction tubes and can pull people from them, even if the tornado doesn’t pass directly over them.

What is One Safety Measure You Can Take When You’re Driving in Bad Weather or Heavy Traffic?

Be Aware. It’s the best possible thing you can do. Being aware of how your car reacts on the roads is essential to being able to judge how fast you should be going and how much distance you should have between you and the car in front of you. It’s the best way to ensure your safety during adverse weather conditions.

What to Do If You’ve Been in an Accident During a Thunderstorm

Extreme weather conditions can increase dangers on roadways and the risk of severe accidents. If you’ve been injured in a car wreck due to inclement weather conditions in Kentucky or Tennessee, the experienced car accident attorneys at Hughes and Coleman are ready to help. Contact us today to get your free case evaluation. 800-800-4600