According to a 2013 FHA statistic, more than 7,000 people die in America due to weather related crashes. When a major storm hits Florida it creates many deadly traffic conditions. The Traffic Accidents Attorneys at The Ticket Clinic have a few reminders for dealing with driving in hurricane situations.
Give Yourself Time
One of the elements that create dangerous driving conditions are people rushing to evacuate. While hurricanes can be unpredictable, with modern storm tracking we typically have at least 24 hours to get somewhere safe. Be smart, stay informed, be prepared and give yourself enough time so you’re not creating a dangerous situation on road. Remember that toll roads are usually free in emergency situations like hurricanes.
Disabled Traffic Light Rule
In the past hurricanes, have wreaked havoc on traffic signal systems across the state of Florida. It could take weeks before all of the traffic lights are up and running so it helps to know the rules.
State law says motorists must treat an intersection where a light is out as a four-way stop. Under the rules of the State Uniform Traffic Control, the first driver to arrive at the intersection has the right of way and gets to proceed first.
If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver to the left must always yield the way to the driver at their right.
Drivers are also required to stop at the clearly marked line or crosswalk when approaching an intersection without a working light. That rule can change if a officer or traffic control person is at the scene.
Finally, be courteous and keep an eye out for the crews at work.
Danger After The Storm Passes
Just because the storm has passed, danger can still be looming. In the wake of a storm power lines are down, trees block roads and emergency crews are out doing their jobs. In addition to downed traffic signals roads can be flooded or inaccessible. While it’s tempting to leave the house and assess the damage you’re better off staying home until conditions improve.
Hurricanes are a big inconvenience that can lead to unfortunate incidents on the highway. If you’ve been in any type of auto accident call the lawyers at The Ticket Clinic for a free consultation.
