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20 - Driving in Hail or Thunderstorms
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TUNE in to your radio to stay informed of approaching storms.
If you see a tornado or hear a tornado warning, do not try to outrun it.
Turn on your headlights (low beams) and slow down.
Allow extra distance for braking.
Do not drive unless necessary.
Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
If at all possible, pull into a sturdy garage, parking garage, or under a shelter to minimize hail damage.
Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
Avoid downed power lines.
Approach intersections with caution.
Treat traffic lights at intersections as stop signs.
After the storm, thoroughly evaluate your vehicle for damage.
If you find glass damage, carefully remove any glass from the interior of your vehicle, and cover the damaged area to prevent further water damage to your interior.
Treat hail storms in much the same way you would handle a thunderstorm.
The driver should preferably stop his vehicle in the parking spaces of the rest areas, but not on the parking lanes or even on the carriageway!
It is prohibited to drive, park or stop on the shoulder of the motorway and expressway, except in emergencies and when stopping to provide the necessary assistance. It is also forbidden to turn, reverse, stop or park on the motorway and expressway as well as tunnels and overpasses
Heavy rain, showers and hail can cause debris on the roadway, which is usually not immediately removed from the roadway. Drivers, especially motorcyclists, should be even more careful in such situations
Observe all traffic signs including the red light in front of the tunnels, which forbids the driver from driving into it
While stopped, remain in your vehicle until the hail has passed over, to prevent possible injury.