While summer is generally a pleasant time to drive weather-wise, there is one phenomenon that can make driving momentarily more treacherous. When the heat builds and the air gets heavy, it is wise to watch out for the possibility of a summer thunderstorm.
The sudden cloudbreaks can certainly bring relief, lowering the tension in the air and giving the plants and lawns some much-needed water. They can also clean some of the muck that has accumulated on the road and sidewalks over the past days or weeks. But with them comes danger.
Lowered visibility and slippery surfaces
When the oils that have built up are first released, the road can become slippery. While that stage does not last long, it could be disastrous for drivers who brake hard and could send them skidding off the road or into another vehicle. On top of that, the rain often falls so heavily that seeing through it becomes challenging. Drivers need to slow down or even pull over.
Pooling water
The heavy downpours that are characteristic of these summer storms can overwhelm the drainage system. The debris they wash away can accumulate in the drain grates meant to take water off the roads, causing a temporary blockage. This can result in pools of standing water swamping particular sections of the road.
Hydroplaning can result from this. This is when the wheels of the car lose traction with the road surface due to the water beneath them. A vehicle can veer out of control as it hits a patch of standing water if the driver does not slow down in time.
Anyone injured by another driver during or just after a thunderstorm should consider whether the other driver did enough to cater for the changed road conditions.