Safe Driving During Raining Weather and Wetter Months
Driving in conditions that involve strong or heavy wind and rain may not seem like the most pressing safety concern for many drivers, but safety professionals know that driving in any type of severe weather can significantly increase your risk and potential for a dangerous situation for you, your family and other drivers.
Remember that severe weather demands your undivided attention, so be sure to reduce any possible distractions by turning the radio down or turning off that phone to keep your attention fully on the road. Keep in mind that sometimes the best driving decision you can make is to stay off the road completely until the weather clears.
If you have no other choice but to drive in severe weather conditions, we have some crucial tips to keep yourself and other drivers safe on the road.
Driving in the Rain Safety Tips
- Slow down. Not only should you adhere to the posted speed limit when driving in wet weather conditions, you should drive considerably slower than you normally would. Wet roads are very dangerous. Your vehicle’s reaction time is much slower when it is raining. Reduced speed is imperative in rainy weather – as well as the condition of your brakes. If your planned trip is forecasted to include wet weather, go for a brake pads assessment to ensure that if you do find yourself in a situation that requires emergency stopping, you are able to do so easily.
- Keep a greater distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Stopping your vehicle will be more difficult when driving in the rain. Maintain a distance of several car lengths between your car and other vehicle.
- Avoid heavy braking. Try to slow your vehicle by taking your foot off of the accelerator earlier than you normally would in preparation to slow down or stop.
- Watch out for standing water. Driving through standing water can cause your car to hydroplane, or skid across the surface of the road. Drive around places where water has collected by changing lanes or safely steering around such areas.
- Forget about cruise control. This feature is convenient in good weather, especially on long open stretches of highway. In the rain, though, you’ll often need to let off the accelerator quickly to keep from hydroplaning or skidding. Not only that, but if your car does hydroplane, cruise control might actually cause your vehicle to accelerate – exactly opposite to what you want.
In the rain, cars can become difficult to control. If you follow these wet weather driving safety tips, you’ll help to keep your car in control, and to keep the roads safer. While accidents can still happen, you are much less likely to cause them.
Why not bring your vehicle in for a full check up by one of our qualified, certified technicians? The rainy season is just around the corner – rather be safe than sorry. Click here to get in touch today!
