Driving in rain, especially when streets are flooded, can cause conditions to be more hazardous. Still, many people risk their safety and the safety of drivers nearby by not following the Basic Speed Rule.  The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, defines the Basic Speed Rule: The Basic Speed rule requires vehicle operators to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent.  Every State has accepted this rule and defined it in its own words.

As an example: California has The Vehicle Code Sec. 22350 which reads:  No person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. Some states added, regardless of the posted speed limit and other clarifications.

Why is it that so many people drive closer together when weather conditions become hazardous?  I believe it is because of the “feeling” that there is safety in numbers – but not “thinking” of the danger.  If he can go through deep water I can too, if I follow closely.  Now weather conditions and speed conflict with another rule. Following Too Closely.

I wrote in my November column “Winter Driving – Avoid a Speeding Ticket” about a group of cars driving through a rain flooded street at about 3-5 MPH, Following each other very closely. Then the group was passed by an altered pickup truck with oversize tires designed for off road use, and driving at the posted speed limit of 40 MPH, splashed all the vehicles it passed.  The startled drivers could not react fast enough, even at 3-5 MPH, and several vehicles struck each other.

The driver of the truck was in violation of the basic speed rule because he was driving too fast for conditions… but so were the drivers doing 3-5 MPH. because they could not avoid colliding with each other at that speed. All speeds were too fast because of the weather and road conditions, combined with following too closely.  In other words they did not have enough time, at the speed they were going to avoid a collision.

The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed when the basic speed law is not observed. In perfect weather and road conditions, any speed may be too fast if you are following too closely.

The State has had a lot of rain and flooding this year.  Avoid a collision by slowing for conditions, and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.