Rain after dry spell creates more fatalities than roads that have been rained on for sustained periods
Last week there was a spate of collisions tying up major roads all over the Island. Each one of them had their own unique circumstances, but I couldn’t help thinking that the heavy dose of rain that also hit us during that time might have had something to do with it.
During dry periods, fluids leak from vehicles. It can be oil or gas from leaking engines or antifreeze from a radiator in disrepair. These leaks plop out all over the road, increasing every day, spread by the sheer number of vehicles passing by. Sand and other forms of grit are also dropped to the pavement from under vehicles.
Daniel Eisenberg, a postdoctoral scholar and author of the study, was able to show that, “…if it rains a centimetre today, on average, there will be no increased risk of fatal crashes if it also rained yesterday … but if it’s been two days since the last rain, then the risk for a deadly accident increases by 3.7 per cent. If you take it out even further to 21 days, the risk increases to 9.2 per cent, or about two and a half times more risk than if it only rained two days before.
Slow steady pressure during braking not only helps to dry the brakes a little, making for better stopping power, but also alerts the driver behind you that you are intending to slow or stop. Rear-end collisions are the number one type of crash on wet or slippery roads. Right after that first rain it’s good practice to at least double the distance between yourself and the car in front.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
John Ducker: The absurd arguments for noisy motorcyclesAn absurdity often in play is that a rider is somehow safer when their bike is noisy because they will be noticed more by other road users.
Read more »
John Ducker: Why are reckless drivers still allowed to drive?Hard to comprehend why someone who has racked up many, many driving offences is still on the road.
Read more »
John Ducker: Why are reckless drivers still allowed to drive?Hard to comprehend why someone who has racked up many, many driving offences is still on the road.
Read more »
John Ducker: Kick the habit of poor driving practicesAvoid speeding, running red and yellow lights, following too closely and riding your brakes for the sake of safety and your pocketbook.
Read more »
John Ducker: Kick the habit of poor driving practicesAvoid speeding, running red and yellow lights, following too closely and riding your brakes for the sake of safety and your pocketbook.
Read more »
John Ducker: Personal data at risk behind the wheelIf you drive an older car there’s not much to worry about in terms of personal data and privacy. But a new model with reams of gadgets and sensors is a different story.
Read more »