Tips for Driving in Bad Weather

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2017/04/CarSplash.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1024;s:6:"height";i:683;s:4:"file";s:21:"2017/04/CarSplash.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-771x514.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:514;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-768x512.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:512;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"CarSplash-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-466x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:466;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-397x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:397;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"CarSplash-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => already_optimized
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => State Farm, courtesy of Flickr
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1649014142 
1491395833

Bad weather can contribute to traffic accidents, but there are ways to lessen the risks. WBHM contacted area law enforcement agencies, including the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Below are suggestions for people who have to drive in wet or unpredictable conditions:

  • Leave plenty of room in front of you. Tailgating or following too closely while driving is dangerous. Stopping distances on wet roads are increased, and if you’re not leaving 2-3 seconds of driving time between you and the vehicle in front of you, you are tailgating even in normal conditions.
  • Slow down. A car traveling 60 mph covers 88 feet in one second. In bad weather, visibility is often compromised. “Speed is the big risk factor in rain,” says BPD Sergeant Bryan Shelton. “And just because you see a speed limit sign doesn’t mean you have to go that fast.”
  • Use your wiper blades. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t,” Shelton says.
  • Use your signals to communicate with other drivers.
  • Make sure your tire treads are not worn. A vehicle that can stop normally on a dry road can slide on a wet one.
  • Do not ever try to drive through moving water or standing water of unknown depth.
  • Do not drive while distracted. “Do not even check weather reports on your smart phone — that’s what WBHM is for,” says Shelton.
  • Do not jerk the steering wheel, and be gentle on the gas and brakes as well.

The officers we spoke with pointed out that staying off the roads in bad weather is the most effective safety strategy of all.

 

Judge rules Alabama can’t prosecute groups helping patients get abortions elsewhere

Although most abortions remain illegal in Alabama, the decision allows doctors and advocacy groups to tell patients about abortion options in other states, and help with travel and other costs

Jason Isbell confronts the pain of divorce, and the possibility of new love

Jason Isbell sings about his split from musician Amanda Shires on his latest album Foxes in the Snow. "What I was attempting to do is document a very specific time where I was going through a lot of changes," he says.

See ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘A Nice Indian Boy’ and ‘Freaky Tales’ in theaters this week

Jack Black and Jason Momoa star in the first attempt to adapt the blockbuster video game for the big screen. And Pedro Pascal returns in a real-life inspired Bay Area anthology with a lot going on.

We tried out the Nintendo Switch 2 — it’s a solid console sequel

We played hours of Nintendo Switch 2 games the same day President Trump announced new global tariffs. Despite the hefty price tag, it's a solid evolution of one of the world's most popular consoles.

Hungary says it will quit the International Criminal Court as Netanyahu visits

Hungary said it will start the process to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Budapest.

Dow drops 1,500 points on trade war fears over new tariffs

President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imported goods, which were higher and broader than many expected. The new import taxes are expected to raise prices and slow growth in the U.S., while pushing many other countries into recession.

More Front Page Coverage