Driving in the Rain in Florida – Don’t Panic
Rain is just a part of life in South Florida. If it weren’t for the volume of precipitation we receive, this area wouldn’t be as lush and beautiful as it is, and wouldn’t attract the thousands of residents and tourists that it does. Unfortunately, it seems to create a panic in many of our drivers.
We have all seen this happen. One minute the traffic seems to be running smoothly, then four drops of rain fall and the brake lights start to come on like Christmas decorations in Times Square. We have a LOT of rain here. Whether it’s hurricane season or just another one of those thunderstorms that seem to happen daily, the chances are great that you’ll have to drive in wet weather. In fact, it happens so often that some of us barely notice these storms.
It is no accident that there are so many traffic accidents during or just after a storm. Invariably one of two things happens. Many drivers have a knee jerk reaction and slam on the brakes, while many others fail to adjust their driving habits to the conditions that exist at the time. The latter of the two reactions can result in the issuance of the notorious “driving too fast for conditions” traffic ticket.
Oh, this is a tricky little ticket. I say that because no matter the circumstances, if you have an accident anywhere in the country, whether it’s rain, snow, sun, potholes, whatever, you can get a traffic ticket for “driving too fast for conditions.” Isn’t that convenient? It is equivalent to the law saying that there is no valid reason to have a traffic accident: you must have been speeding. This paves the way for a cop to write you an arbitrary traffic citation using very few rules of measure other than his own discretion.
According to Florida GS 316.183, “No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and in light of the actual and potential hazards then existing.” There’s that word again that you so often hear me quote when I refer to Florida’s traffic laws: watch out.
caution The use of such language in our Florida traffic law statutes makes the interpretation of those laws quite vague and open to individual interpretation. It also makes it easier for cops to find reasons to issue traffic tickets. In some cases, however, it is helpful for a good traffic ticket attorney who can often find loopholes in the validity of your traffic ticket. After all, standards like “reasonable” and “prudent” are subjective to all parties involved.
You still need to seriously consider how you react when it starts to rain. Try not to endanger yourself or others by reacting suddenly. Always try to warn those around you that you are going to slow down. Hitting the brakes in a panic only increases your chances of getting into a traffic accident.
For those of you approaching a flash rainstorm to “just continue driving as usual,” consider modifying your current driving habits to better suit South Florida weather. Think of the various factors that occur that only exist when it rains. This includes drivers overreacting as well as reduced traction that occurs when there is water on the road. The former makes other drivers unable to anticipate the actions of someone who gets a little scared while driving in the rain, often leading to car accidents. This latter problem is compounded not only by loss of traction, but also because rain lifts oil from previous vehicles off the road surface. This only makes the traction interruption that much more dangerous.
When it comes to our exciting yet terrifying tropical storms that we receive, there are variables that need to be considered. Rain volume can be very unpredictable: those four fat raindrops I mentioned earlier can turn into a steady rain one minute and a torrential downpour the next that can blind your eyes. When you factor in the sudden onset of dark clouds that add to reduced visibility, older drivers, teens, and inexperienced tourists who aren’t sure how to react to our unique weather patterns, and those drivers they just don’t know what to do. in bad weather, our roads and highways resemble a pool table.
It can become a trying experience for those of us used to Florida’s erratic weather as we play dodgeball on the highways trying to stay away from drivers who get scared or react inappropriately to the conditions. Fortunately for those of us who are used to such dangerous driving conditions, there are those who immediately turn on their hazard flashers, which is the same as the driver yelling out the window, “I’m a lousy driver who doesn’t know how to drive in bad weather.” So stay away from me.” There is no problem my friend. Stop occupying two lanes and I will gladly overtake you so that you stop being a threat to my well-being.
Obviously a lot of what I say here is ironic because I’m a huge advocate of safe driving; however, when your fear response is so great that it puts others at extreme risk, simply stop and allow others to move forward safely. There is nothing so urgent that you should put your well-being or that of others at risk. Also, with the weather in Florida, the chance of this storm lasting for an extended period of time is quite small. Stopping for a soda or bottled water will likely give the storm enough time to get out of the area. No need to point fingers because these drivers know who they are.
If you receive a traffic citation for reckless driving, driving too fast for the conditions, or aggressive driving that results in an accident, the police officer does not always have the final say. Many times the police officer’s version of events is based on assumptions that are formed even if he is not present at the time of the accident. Keep in mind that one of the things he uses to assign blame is what you and the other driver say, so don’t confess anything and keep your conversation to a minimum. We have years of experience taking these traffic tickets and finding the flaws that may exist in the police version of events. Call us for a free consultation at (954) 967-9888 so we can advise you on his best course of action.