Spring Driving Tips

Along with warmer weather, spring brings rain and the potholes of last winter.

Springtime brings rain and the aftereffects of winter weather — potholes and uneven pavement. Keep these driving tips in mind before you travel:

Spring showers bring May flowers — and wet driving conditions: Slow down on slick roads, and increase your following distance even when mist begins to fall. Just a small amount of water can mix with oil and grease on the road to create slippery conditions.
Share the road: Warm weather brings out motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Understand the impact of medications on driving: For many people, spring means seasonal allergies. Over-the-counter allergy drugs can have side effects or interact with other medications to diminish your driving ability.
If possible, go around potholes: Deep potholes can throw your car out of alignment or worse, forcing you to buy a new wheel and a new tire. You may be able to file a claim (laws differ from city to city and state to state), but you you'll likely have to prove negligence on the part of the city.
Avoid driving through large puddles: Driving through water can impair your brakes, cloud your vision, or cause you to hydroplane.
Keep your tires properly inflated: Full tires can reduce the damage caused by potholes and other road hazards.