Video: Driving Tips For Terrible Weather

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Starkville, Miss. (WCBI) — The weekend’s forecast is set for residents to see a lot of rain over the next few days.

Rain pouring not only puts a damper in moods and garments, but also adds extra risks to safety when driving.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper First Class Gregory Bell said vehicle speed and visibility are what matter the most when driving on soaking streets, and that “…hydroplaning is the biggest cause of accidents in inclement weather…”

Bell also said preparation is key to driving in bad weather.

“Make sure you’ve got good tires, make sure you’ve got good brakes, make sure you’ve got working headlights, and one of the most important things on your vehicle during times like this are your windshield wipers. People seem to forget about them until they need them…”

Bell also said to avoid driving too closely to eighteen wheeler trucks because the spray from water will impact visibility.

Bell also gave a tip to drive in the tire tracks on vehicles because that water has already been displaced. Bell referred standing water on the roads as “the same as black ice”, and said to drive toward the middle of the lane to avoid water on the road shoulders.

Bell said to be cautious of the corners of overpasses because water can build up as a runoff.

“Just because the speed limit is 70 miles per hour on your major highways…doesn’t mean you have to travel at that…”, said Bell, “…travel at a speed that is good for those road conditions…”

Bell said M.H.P. troopers responded to sixteen calls of service on Thursday, alone. Also, eight wrecks resulted in property damage, five being directly caused by the bad weather.