If you had to identify the environmental and road conditions that can affect your driving, you would come up with a very long list. Many factors can affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle, from a major storm outside to a mosquito buzzing around the interior of the vehicle. Although some factors are easier to overcome than others, various adjustments in driving behaviour can make a difference to how the driving environment and road conditions affect the safety of everyone nearby.

In everyday life, many factors influence the way people act and think, including their personal characteristics and individual circumstances. On the road, two major factors are the driving environment, including factors both inside and outside the vehicle, and road conditions, including anything that might affect a driver’s ability to keep a vehicle moving safely and steadily.

Driving Environment

Driving environment can include a number of different factors, as described on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s website. Any or all of these elements can affect how well drivers can adapt to the situations they encounter. Being able to drive for the environment is essential, especially in a country like Canada. In most parts of the country, drivers can face vast differences in driving conditions at various times of the year, and sometimes even each day.

One of the most obvious aspects of driving environment is the weather. Snow, rain and fog can reduce visibility significantly while potentially making the roads slippery and affecting the driver’s ability to control the vehicle. In these conditions, drivers may need to slow down their vehicles significantly to avoid sliding into the ditch or crashing into vehicles or other objects. Fog can be especially dangerous because of reduced visibility, but drivers should be aware of the dangers of any situation that the weather brings.

Another issue that comes with the weather is the possibility of flooded roads. Although this situation is more common in some areas than in others, almost any area can experience flooding after a heavy rain or rapid snow melt. Large amounts of water can cause troubles for vehicles that sit close to the ground, as the water can get into the engine and cause it to stall. Water can also splash up from the road onto the windshields of other vehicles and temporarily blind drivers.

Light and Darkness  

Driving at night is another issue of concern, especially in areas with few or no streetlights, such as in rural areas. Even with headlights, it can be difficult for drivers to see far enough ahead of their vehicles to be sure of what is in their path. A deer, moose or other animal could be on the road ahead in the countryside, while a pedestrian or an unexpected curve in the road could be in front of the vehicle in urban areas. Keeping to a moderate speed after dark can help drivers stay prepared for possibilities such as these.

While darkness is potentially dangerous for road users, the glare of bright light can be almost as bad, and sometimes even worse. During the day, bright sunlight or the reflection of the light off of clouds can dazzle drivers’ eyes and temporarily blind them. Even at lower levels of intensity, the glare from the sun can distract drivers and keep them from watching the road.

Some drivers might also find that they get headaches from the bright light or that their eyes get very tired after driving in bright light. Taking some time to rest if necessary is a good idea if drivers can pull to the side of the road and rest for a few minutes.

Whenever possible, drivers should choose to drive at times and in places that reduce the chances of these problems interfering with the task of driving. Sometimes, drivers can avoid using the roads at times when conditions are difficult. Even of this is not possible, they can choose quiet roads or times of the day when the number of challenges they face is reduced.  

Glare is also a problem at night, when bright headlights reflect off of the rear view mirror or when lights from oncoming vehicles shine into a driver’s eyes. Watching the lines on the road rather than looking into other vehicles’ headlights can help drivers stay in the correct lane, while switching the rear view mirror to the nighttime setting after dark can help reduce the glare from vehicles coming up from behind.  

Benefits of Headlights

Although headlights can cause problems at times, they are also necessary both for the driver to see what is ahead on the road and for other road users to see the vehicle. In fog and many other weather conditions, low-beam lights are best as they reflect less off of the droplets of water in rain, fog or snow and allow the driver to see more clearly. Seeing and being seen is an essential part of safe driving, especially in weather conditions that make safe road use difficult.

Keeping headlights and windows clean is an essential part of safe driving in difficult conditions. In summer, mud can splash up on the lights and make them less effective than they should be. Mud on the windshield can obscure drivers’ view of the road, while heavy rain can also make it difficult to see. In winter, ice, frost and snow can also keep drivers from seeing the road properly.

Without a clear view of the road, drivers can easily miss important cues on the road. They might not see potholes, patches of ice, pedestrians or animals on the road and more. Allowing a few extra minutes for clearing and defrosting the windows is a good idea when a vehicle has been outside for any length of time in cold weather. After a snowfall, it is also important to clear off the headlights and tail lights to ensure that they are completely visible.

Keeping the interior of the vehicle free of potential problems is also important. All items should be as secure as possible to keep them from flying around in case of an accident, and all passengers should wear seat belts.   

Adapting to Road Conditions

Assessing road conditions is also an essential part of safe driving. Winter snow and ice are some of the issues that drivers face in the colder months of the year, but drivers face many other obstacles, as well. Heavy traffic can cause dangerous situations, and drivers need to be especially alert to the possibilities of other road users making unexpected moves on the street.

Construction is another potential barrier for drivers. Drivers should be careful to watch for orange signs indicating an upcoming construction zone and slow down. Normally, construction zones have lower speed limits than the rest of the road, and drivers should be sure to obey these rules. Other than moving away from a blocked section of road, drivers should avoid changing lanes if possible.

When they deteriorate, road surfaces can be rough and broken, often making it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. Going over a large bump or into a pothole can cause drivers to lose control of the vehicle, even just for a moment. Although drivers cannot anticipate every bump on the road, they can look far ahead for any other indications of problems, including signs by the side of the road.  

In all of these kinds of situations, it is important to stay calm. Stopping a skid on ice or dealing with other weather or road conditions can be frightening, and it can be easy for drivers to panic. However, staying calm is essential for drivers to be able to be able to make good decisions as they deal with whatever they encounter. Learning the best techniques and reviewing them regularly is a useful thing for all drivers should remember.

Driver Education  

Driver education programs normally cover the basic information that students need to know to operate a vehicle safely, but every driver’s circumstances are slightly different. Some drivers take a vehicle to work or school each day, while others drive only occasionally. While the regular practise of daily driving is helpful fir developing useful skills, it can also entrench bad habits into a person’s style. Sometimes, people who drive only occasionally can be skillful and careful drivers.

Drivers should know their own strengths and weaknesses and work to enhance their good driving habits. For example, drivers who tend to drive too closely behind other vehicles should be sure to pull back and leave extra space, especially when road conditions are less than ideal. Leaving an extra car’s length or more between vehicles can make the difference between having enough time to stop in an emergency versus being likely to crash into another vehicle from behind in case of a sudden stop.

Similarly, people’s normal driving routes can make a difference. Driving through a city or town is very different from using a highway each day, and drivers should be able to adapt their techniques to each situation. Drivers who are able to adapt to their particular circumstances are more likely to be able to avoid an accident than people who are less flexible.

Safe driving involves knowing the risks that people encounter on the road and being able to adapt to the circumstances that occur. When drivers learn the best techniques and make a point of practising them, they can help keep the roads safer for everyone.