MAY 24, 2007

The recent bout of spring storms across Michigan should remind motorists that basic traffic rules are essential to staying safe when driving in inclement weather, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said today.

"Severe weather can strike anytime, especially in the spring," said Land, Michigan's chief traffic safety officer. "Slick roads, poor visibility and power outages all present drivers with hazardous situations. Driving with extra caution, allowing for additional travel time and remembering basic rules of the road will help make sure you arrive safely at your destination."

Land reminds motorists that:

• Power outages can affect traffic lights. If no law enforcement officers or temporary traffic control devices are at an intersection, drivers should follow basic right-of-way rules and treat the intersection as a four-way stop. That means yielding to vehicles that reach the intersection before you and to those on your right if you reach the intersection at the same time. When turning left, give oncoming traffic the right of way.
• Low-beam headlights should be used during the day when it's foggy, raining or snowing. If you have trouble seeing other vehicles, they will have trouble seeing you. Always turn on your headlights if you're in doubt.
• If fog or rain is so heavy that you can't see at all, pull off the pavement and stop. Turn on the four-way emergency flashers and wait for the weather to clear before continuing on your way.
• Flooded roads and deep puddles are dangerous. Vehicles can stall if water gets into the exhaust pipe or splashes onto the engine. To avoid stalling, drive slowly through the flooded area but do not stop. Keep the vehicle moving.
• Brakes may lose their stopping power after moving through water. Apply them lightly so that they dry out.
• Leave twice the normal distance between your vehicle and the next. Stopping a vehicle in adequate time is more difficult when roads are slippery or visibility is poor.
• When riding on a slippery road, drive more slowly and slow down gradually. Test the vehicle's brakes lightly to get a feel for the road.
• Additional caution is required near schools and crosswalks because poor weather conditions make it difficult to see pedestrians.

"It's always smart to travel with an emergency kit as well," Land said. "Items like flashlights, wrenches, screwdrivers, jumper cables and shovels can come in handy. Emergencies can happen anytime, not just in nasty weather."

One of the best sources for driving tips and regulations is the Secretary of State publication What Every Driver Must Know, which is available at www.Michigan.gov/sos and in branch offices.

Related Link
> What Every Driver Must Know