Graphic by Dani Ramirez
Written by Sergio Gonzalez
Careful driving becomes especially important as CI students commute through long stretches of highways and freeways during their spring semester and its accompanying rainy weather.
Each new wave of students enrolling at CI reinforces the need for greater awareness and basic knowledge about driving on wet roads. The following tips can help commuters of all experience levels navigate the spring semester safely.
Check your headlights
Make sure your headlights and brake lights are in working order, especially when driving in rain, fog or other severe weather conditions. Reduced visibility increases the risk of collisions, especially when other drivers struggle to see clearly. Turning on your lights helps ensure that others can see you.
Keep distance from others
Slippery roads significantly increase the risk of accidents, especially at highway speeds. One of the simplest ways to reduce that risk is to slow down and increase the distance between your vehicle and the car ahead. Drivers should travel below the posted speed limit when weather conditions reduce visibility or traction. According to the California Vehicle Code, drivers must not travel at speeds greater than what is reasonable for current weather and visibility conditions.
Know your limits
Assess the situation carefully. While The CI View does not encourage skipping class, students should weigh their confidence in driving against the severity of the weather. If you are already on the road and conditions become overwhelming, pull over safely until visibility improves. Weather conditions can change quickly, so keeping a weather app ready is a simple step toward safer driving.
The discussion of road safety is for the betterment of students on and off campus.
