While kissing in the rain might be romantic and singing in the rain can be fun, driving in the rain can be a disaster. In fact, for some people, the thought of driving in the rain can bring about anxiety. But being behind the wheel and a rain-covered windshield doesn’t have to be a nightmare. You as a driver just have to be sensitive to certain weather conditions.
Heavy rain is one of the most common weather conditions that drivers face. According to the U.S. Department of Transporation, there are more than 950,000 car crashes each year, resulting in 4,700 deaths and 384,000 injuries due to wet pavement.
From the heavy downpours that flood streets to the torrential rain that prevents you from seeing, here are a couple of safety tips for driving in the rain.
How to Drive Safely in the Rain
If you’re driving in the rain, keep these following tips in mind to make sure you arrive in one piece.
- Slow down: You should always make sure you’re driving at a slower speed during the rain. The faster you drive the less control you will have over your car and the more likely you are to have an accident. Leave the house earlier than usual to prevent yourself from rushing.
- Be extremely cautious when the rain first starts: Engine and oil grease can build up on the road and highways when dry. As soon as the rain starts, it mixes with the oil and makes the road extremely slippery. If possible, wait a few hours to drive, so the water can wash the grease build-up away.
- Brake earlier and slower than usual: When you need to stop or slow down on wet roads, gently ease the brakes earlier than you normally would. Doing so will lower your chances of hydroplaning and keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you while alerting the drivers behind you to slow down.
- Don’t brake if you hydroplane: If you ever happen to hydroplane, don’t brake! If you do it could make your car skid. Instead ease off the gas pedal slowly and keep your steering straight until your tires regain traction.
- Turn on your windshield wipers, low beams and defroster: Turning on your low beams and wipers will make sure other cars see you. Turning on your defroster will ensure you can see other vehicles.
- Pull over if things get too bad: If the rain is falling too hard and you can barely see the car in front of you, pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It’s a lot safer to make it a little late to your destination as opposed to not making it at all.
During a rainstorm, a film of water can quickly form on the asphalt roads and can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Heavy rain can prevent you from seeing, fog up your windows and block your headlight. If you find yourself on the road during a rainstorm, follow these safety tips to make sure you arrive at your destination safely.
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References
(2018, September 17). 5 Tips to Remember for Driving Safely in the Rain. Retrieved from https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/5-tips-to-remember-for-driving-safely-in-the-rain
T. (2018, June 06). 6 Tips to Driving Safely in the Rain | Top Driver Blog Post. Retrieved from https://www.topdriver.com/education-blog/6-tips-to-driving-safely-in-the-rain/
