Driving in Bad Weather
Weather Warnings
Kansas is known for its changeable weather. Travelers experience wind, rain, hail, snow, and ice - all of which affect driving conditions.
Visit KanDrive.gov for continually updated information on weather, road conditions, construction zones, and details for commercial vehicles.
Drive safely when encountering various weather events.
Dust Storms
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm if possible.
When driving through dust, make sure your headlights are on.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible.
Do not stop in a travel lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including headlights and emergency flashers, while parked.
Set emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.
Fog
Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Use low-beam headlights so drivers ahead and behind you can see you. Use fog lights if you have them. Never use high-beam headlights. High beams cause glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in anticipation of sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, turn on your hazard lights, then look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
Turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights while parked.
Set emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.
Flooding
Avoid flooded roads. Even when just a small section is underwater, TURN AROUND - DON'T DROWN.
Less than a foot of water can carry away a vehicle. If you get swept downstream, you and your passengers could drown.
Water can hide large potholes, debris, or washed-out sections of roadway that makes driving dangerous.
If you have to drive through a flooded area, first check the area to make sure no power lines are in contact with the water. Move forward slowly and steadily and be ready to quickly abandon your vehicle for higher ground through an open door or window.
Hail
Driving through hail can be scary - and loud!
Stay inside your vehicle when it is hailing to avoid being injured.
Find a safe place to stop during a hail storm. Do NOT stop under an overpass, as you risk being hit from behind by passing traffic.
Ice
Ice or frozen slush on the roads can cause your tires to lose traction and makes driving extremely dangerous. Do not get out on the roads unless absolutely necessary.
To avoid your vehicle rear-ending whoever is in front of you, sliding into a ditch, or crossing into oncoming traffic, it is important to drive safely.
Before driving, scrape of all ice on your vehicle's windows and mirrors so that you can see clearly.
The best way to travel over ice is to slow down to a speed that gives you plenty of time to stop .
Keep plenty of distance between you and other vehicles. Icy roads can cause a vehicle to slide without warning.
Keep your guard up. Even if the road seems clear, black ice can send you vehicle spinning.
Remember that bridges and overpasses will freeze first. Go slow and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
Lightning
Seeing lightning bolts in the clouds? Don't let them distract you from the road ahead.
Stay in your vehicle to be protected during a thunderstorm. Avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts. A lightning strike can damage a vehicle's antenna, electrical system, or tires.
Slowing down is key. It allows you more time to react to bright flashes of lightning that can temporarily blind you.
Watch for any fires or downed power lines caused by lightning.
Rain
On rainy days, increase your following distance and give yourself plenty of time to stop.
In Kansas, when you use your wipers continuously, you must also turn on your headlights and taillights.
Make sure your tires have enough tread to handle wet roads without losing traction.
Slow down to a speed that will allow you to control your vehicle. If you do hydroplane, take your foot off of the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go.
Avoid driving through large puddles and flooded roadways.
Smoke
When driving into thick smoke, make sure your headlights are on.
Use low-beam headlights so drivers ahead and behind you can see you. Use fog lights if you have them. Never use high-beam headlights. High beams cause glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in anticipation of sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Do not stop in a travel lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the roadway and away from other vehicles.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including headlights and emergency flashers, while parked.
Set emergency brake and take your foot off the brake pedal.
Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled and wait for the visibility to clear.
Roll up the windows. Set your fan to recirculate.
Snow
Driving in snow is risky. Road conditions will vary. You may not be able to maintain traction or see lane markings. Check weather reports before a trip to avoid being stranded by a snowstorm.
Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice, or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
Driving on snow means driving slow. Gradually ease to a stop and gently accelerate to get going again.
Increase your following distance to five to six seconds so you will have the longer distance you need to stop.
Be ready to brake slowly and avoid sudden stops and starts.
Prepare your vehicle for winter by having it checked by a mechanic.
Before a long trip, let someone know where you are going, what route you are taking, and when you expect to arrive.
If you get stuck, stay with your vehicle. Don't walk away and don't overwork yourself if you are trying to dig it out.
Rescuers can spot your vehicle more easily if you tie something brightly colored to the antenna or place it in your window. Turn on your dome light at night.
Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency. If possible, save gas and only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill.
Sun Glare
Tornado
If there is a tornado watch or warning near you, the safest thing to do is to take shelter and stay off of the road.
If you are driving during a storm, listen to local radio stations for updated road closures and weather warnings.
If you see a funnel cloud or tornado, do not try to drive towards it or away from it. You cannot outrun a tornado and it is extremely dangerous to go towards it because of the debris it will lift and hurl through the air.
In case of a tornado, stop and find shelter. If no buildings are nearby, pull off of the road and get out of your vehicle. Lie face down down in a ditch or on the lowest ground available and cover your head with your hands.
Wind
On windy days, make sure to keep both hands on the wheel to keep control of your vehicle.
Watch for flying debris that may cross the road.
Be cautious around vehicles with items that are not secured and could come loose. Do not linger near trailers, which can be blown over.
Strong winds can affect SUVs and trucks with high centers of gravity. If possible, avoid driving such vehicles until winds calm.