由 home-healthhaven 
With drought an issue in many parts of the country, summer rains can bring much-needed relief. However, there’s one place where these rains are less welcome – on the roads. Car accidents tend to happen more often during bad weather, especially on high-speed highways. What makes this more alarming is that rain-related crashes are even more common in the summer.
There are three main reasons for the rise in traffic accidents during rainy summers. Firstly, there’s the sudden high water and flooding on the roads. Secondly, tire issues play a role. Thirdly, the buildup of residue on the roads is a contributing factor.
**How Summer Rains Affect Driving Conditions**
In many areas, rain is common from November to April, and drivers get used to taking extra care when it’s wet. However, during the typically warmer and drier summer months, motorists often forget how the occasional rainstorm can drastically change road conditions.
In wetter climates, the soil is often already saturated, so a heavy rain can easily cause flooding. In drier regions, the soil becomes hard-packed and can’t absorb water quickly enough, leading to flash floods. Roads that aren’t well-designed can quickly become covered in water.
**The Problem with All-Season Tires**
Tire commercials often show high-performance treads dealing well with water, which is great for sales but problematic on highways. Winter tires have a different tread pattern compared to popular summer types. During summer downpours, visibility on the freeway can drop to near zero due to the spray and mist kicked up by these tires. It’s wise to keep a greater distance – more than one car length for every 10 mph – when driving in such conditions.
**Residue Build-Up on Highways**
In warmer weather, oil leaks from cars increase, and a mix of dirt, grime, grease, and oil builds up on the roads. When these residues mix with rain, they create dangerously slick surfaces. This mixture decreases friction between tires and asphalt, making it harder to steer and causing some of the car’s features not to work properly.
A slick road can cause cars to slide and the engine’s rpm to increase if the driver keeps accelerating. The traction control system, which many modern cars have, might not respond correctly, leading to improper wheel adjustments.
**Be Extra Careful When Towing**
In conclusion, drivers should be extra cautious on wet summer roads. Rain affects roads, cars, and drivers differently than winter drizzle. The same care taken in snowy or icy conditions should be applied during summer rainstorms.
For drivers of large trucks, RVs, or those towing boats, campers, or trailers, being careful is even more critical. Losing control of these vehicles can have much more severe consequences.