As we get closer to the spring months, rainy weather is also on its way and we would like to offer an important safety tip about cruise control for drivers across the state.
While cruise control offers convenience and less effort, especially on long rides, it can be a very dangerous mechanism on slippery roads. There are two problems here: the risk of losing traction and control, and the need to brake when traction is lost. Even without cruise control, wet roads can pose the risk of hydroplaning, which occurs when the tread of your tires cannot separate the water from the road and instead “drift” on a collective layer of water.
When cruise control is on, this risk is significantly greater, as the driver cannot continually adjust the vehicle’s speed based on the road conditions; this necessary adjustment not only involves braking, but also shifting pressure on the accelerator, which is instead unavailable. If you begin to skid or slide while using cruise control in the rain, you are faced with a new problem altogether, which is the need to apply the brakes to disable cruise control.
Braking is among the worst things to do in the middle of a skid or slide, but in cruise control you are left with no choice. The ability to regain traction is extremely difficult in this situation, further increasing the chances of careening into another vehicle or off the road entirely. It is also important to note the ineffectiveness of anti-lock braking systems in these situations: studies as recent as 2009 show that anti-lock brakes have no significant impact on the risks of cruise control in the rain.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
