Modesto Car Accidents often caused by Fog, Inclement Weather

 From a foggy morning in Turlock to the ongoing hearty ski season snowfalls blanketing Yosemite, to Sequoia national parks and beyond, drivers in Modesto, Stockton and the surrounding areas face a variety of driving conditions that can impact their risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident.

Our Stockton car accident attorneys know that with snow and wet weather comes increased chances of a serious or fatal Central California car accident.

Sure ski resort owners are thrilled. As are Modesto water officials who see the winter snow and rain as "money in the bank" for the dry weather season ahead.https://askcompetentlawyer.com/ With that said, the California Highway Patrol is less impressed with copious amounts of rain, fog and snow we've experienced this winter, and more concerned about the safety of Modesto drivers.

In 2007, nearly 8,000 people were injured in weather-related California car accidents. And, more than 100 fatalities were tied to car accidents in foggy, rainy or snowy conditions.

The CHP provides the following tips for area winter weather travelers:

~ First and foremost: S-L-O-W D-O-W-N. Driving the posted limit when roads are icy, snow covered, or wet may not be safe. Adjust your speed to road and weather conditions. If visibility is near zero due to fog, the speed your vehicle is traveling should reflect that.

~ Unless it is an emergency, never come to a complete stop on a highway while driving in foggy conditions.

~ Remember, State law requires that drivers turn their headlights if windshield wipers are engaged. To be effective, make sure your wiper blades are in good working condition.

~ Running low-beam headlights when driving in a fog not only helps your visibility penetrate the mist; it also helps make you more visible to other drivers.

~ Avoid lane change maneuvers and crack your window so you can listen for traffic.

~ Watch your speed. CHP reports that fog creates a "visual illusion of slow motion" that may trick you into thinking you're driving slower than you are.

~ When driving in the rain, watch for vehicle hydroplaning. Put more space between you and the car in front of you Be gentle with the brakes as braking on wet roads may cause your car to pull.

~ Travel with an emergency kit. It should include: blankets and a change of clothes (preferably warm and waterproof), water and non-perishable food, flares, a small shovel, a ice scraper, a flashlight and extra batteries, a charged cell phone, and snow chains.