Every state has its own weather and environment-related driving hazards. In Illinois, they come in the form of severe thunderstorms, pelting hail, and one other you may be surprised to learn about. The following safety tips can help you avoid auto collisions and in these situations.
If you get caught in an Illinois thunderstorm, pull over to the shoulder of the road, stopping a safe distance from any trees or other tall objects. Stay in the car, turn on your emergency flashers, and wait for the heavy rains to stop or pass you by.
If lightning occurs, avoid contact with metal or other conducting surfaces inside your vehicle. You could get injured if lightning strikes your car, but it’s still safer to stay inside it. Avoid flooded roadways and don’t try to drive through dips and other low areas where water is collecting.
Hailstorms are fairly common in Illinois. They also cause damage that can require professional dent repair from an auto body shop, so try to find an overpass or some other type of overhead protection to park under. If not, pull off the road onto the shoulder and stay inside your car. Even small-size hail can cause injury if it strikes you. Large hail can cause severe injury.
When parking, angle your car to face the direction of the hail, as side and rear windows are easier to break than the front windshield. Keep your back to the windows, and cover yourself with a blanket to protect against debris if a window breaks.
Surprisingly, wandering deer cause a lot of auto collisions on Illinois roads, especially in the months of October through December. To avoid hitting one:
If you have a deer mishap bump or suffer auto body damage due to hail, drop by the nearest Illinois Fix Auto body shop for fast, professional repairs.
