WNKY News 40 Weather Reports: Wet Weather & Slick Roads

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Scattered rain and heavy downpours deteriorate your commute. Slick roads pose a risk for drivers losing control of their vehicles, especially with falling leaves.

“There is a noticeable difference that when the weather turns south, as they say, that, the accidents start increasing.” Said Ronnie Ward, Public information officer at Bowling Green Police Department. 

A period of fresh rainfall can cause headaches during your drive time. Why are the roads so slick?

“The oil hasn’t  had an opportunity to wash off the roadway. As soon as the rain starts, that oil rises to the top and it makes the surface very slick.” Ward mentioned.

What should you do when the roads are drenched?

The first thing to do is to reduce speed. Speed can affect your response time. The faster you move, the less time you have to react. And more likely you are to lose traction. Being aware of stopping distance is also key.

“You need to allow a greater braking distance  when the pavement is slick. Also, wet leaves on the road this time of year. Leaves gather on the edges of the road and potentially really across the road, and you need to recognize that that is a hazard as well.” -Ward 

Did you know that wet leaves increased stopping distance about three times more than on a dry road? For example, if you’re traveling around 40mph, it will take roughly 8 to 12 seconds to stop once brakes are applied.

Ward says that wet leaves can be just as slick as ice. It’s important to be aware and adjust driving habits when it comes to changing road conditions.