- Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Spring is March 20th this year. We all welcome more sunshine and warmer weather for our outdoor activities. With your spring cleaning plans, take some time to spring clean your vehicle and spruce up your driving habits.
Check your vehicle:
- Check your tire condition and air pressure. Winter driving may have damaged your tires, and the fluctuating temperature may have impacted your tire air pressure.
- Check your windshield wipers for wear and purchase a new set. They are relatively inexpensive and often an easy task to replace. Fresh wipers make a big difference in clearing the rain for visibility. Also, take a few minutes to check your wiper fluid levels and top off so you don’t run out when needed most.
- Clean the inside and outside of your windshield. Condensation inside and snow, salt, and sand on the outside can reduce visibility. You will see the difference!
Check your driving habits:
- Driving in spring rains means driving with caution. Be sure your headlights are on in the rain and be aware of hydroplaning in puddling water on the roadway, which reduces control and braking ability. Reduced visibility in rain is a top reason for weather related crashes.
- Keep your eyes open for potholes, which form quickly during the freeze-thaw cycle. Avoid if you can and reduce speed if you cannot safely avoid them.
- Don’t drive into puddles. “Turn around, don’t drown” is the slogan for avoiding the danger of puddles, which can easily cover unknown depths. Additionally, damage to your vehicle can be avoided by safely maneuvering away from potentially deep-standing water. A car can quickly lose control in a puddle.
- Watch for increased pedestrians and bicycles as the warmer weather brings out more adults and children enjoying the spring air.
- Watch for increased motorcycles as the spring weather improves motorcyclists' driving conditions.
- Spring also means increased road projects and road repairs. Be aware of work zones, and know that the law in Massachusetts doubles the fines if you are caught speeding in one. “Let them work, let them live.” Pay attention, slow down, and save a life.
The MAPFRE Insurance-sponsored MassDOT Highway Assistance Program is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy-traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Written by,
Your friends at MAPFRE Insurance