Highway 17 commuters start first Spring travel day with rainy trip

After a week of enjoyably dry weather, commuters on Highway 17 received a rude awakening to start spring as rainfall made for a messy commute.

Visibility was low as rain from the road kicked up onto vehicle windshields. Fog on Highway 17 also left drivers moving with caution through the area.

It’s something the California Highway Patrol preaches, whether it’s raining or not.

“Leave a little bit earlier so you aren’t rushing out the door and through the traffic,” says Julieta Trenado with the California Highway Patrol. “Insure your winshield wipers are properly working and your headlights are working. Also check to see your tires aren’t bald.”

Much of the concern is due to the transition from a week-long dry spell to rainy conditions.

Tire experts say it’s three times more difficult to get your car to come to an immediate stop while driving on wet roads as opposed to dry roads.

“It’s a matter of physics where your car doesn’t stop as fast or turn as accurately on wet or icy roadways,” says Officer Trenado.

Concerns about traffic safety on Highway 17 are especially highlighted after a recent report suggesting more than 200 accidents have taken place on the highway the first two months of the year.

Officer Trenado says about 27 more accidents have taken place on the 17 this year compared to last year.