Preventing a Rear-End Collision in Rainy Weather

Florida is known for its sunshine. Ironically, it’s also known for its rainy weather. And with spring here and summer aka hurricane season soon to come, rain will be quite common. When the roads are wet, your chance of being involved in an accident increases. This is due to the decreased visibility and how the roads become more slippery when they are wet. Hydroplaning also becomes an issue when there is heavy rain — a common occurrence in Florida.

                            

The Federal Highway Administration cited wet pavement as a contributing factor in 73 percent of the weather-related crashes that were reported from 2004 to 2013. Wet pavement can be making normal driving maneuvers more difficult. This is why drivers need to adjust how they drive according to the weather and other factors in their driving environment, such as the tine of the day and the traffic patterns.

According to Kanner & Pintaluga Review, many car accidents that occur during rainy weather are due to drivers’ failure to adjust to the conditions.

Some examples of specific ways drivers put themselves and others at risk or being involved in collisions during rainstorms include:

• Following other cars too closely

• Using cruise control

• Failure to slow down

• Taking turns too sharply

• Not responding to skid

• Not using headlights

• Driving with worn-out windshield

The main thing you can do to protect yourself and others when driving in the rain is adjusting how you drive according to the current weather conditions.

Originally published at kpattorney.com

Halloween Safety Tips by Kanner & Pintaluga

Everyone wants to have a safe and happy Halloween for themselves, their guests and especially their children. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year can sometimes make them not as careful as they would normally be. 

Using safety tips and some common sense can help you make the most of your Halloween season, keeping it as enjoyable for your kids as it is for you!

Here are some useful tips of safety suggested by Kanner & Pintaluga Review for a fun night on Halloween:

• Carry a fully charged cellphone.

• Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost. Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. These accessories if he stumbles or trips may easily hurt a child.

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.