WET & WILD: How to Drive in the Rain
Wet and rainy weather significantly increases the risk of accidents while driving due to decreased visibility and reduced tire traction and plain old human error. The next time the sky let’s loose, remember these five easy-to-follow tips in order to keep yourself and your passengers safe when driving on wet roads:
1. Reduce Your Speed
Speed limits are designed for ideal weather conditions. As soon as it starts raining, you should lower your speed. Driving slower reduces the risk of hydroplaning (where your tires lose contact with the road and skim on top of the water) and gives you much-needed extra time to react to hazards or activity on the road.
2. Increase Your Following Distance
It takes much longer to stop on wet pavement than when the road is dry. Increase your following distance from the standard three seconds to at least five or six seconds. If seconds are a little too difficult to gauge, then try to keep a few car lengths in between yourself and the driver in front of you. This extra space ensures you have adequate room to brake safely if traffic suddenly stops.
3. Turn On Your Headlights
Even in light rain, turning on your headlights dramatically improves your visibility to other drivers. Most states require headlights to be on whenever windshield wipers are in use. Avoid using high beams, as the extra light will reflect off the rain and glare back at you, making it harder to see.
4. Brake and Steer Gently
Sudden, jerky movements can easily cause you to lose control on a slick surface. Brake earlier and ease into braking slower than you normally would. If you need to turn or change lanes do so smoothly and gradually. If you feel your car begin to hydroplane, do not slam on the brakes. Instead, ease off the accelerator and steer straight until you regain traction.
5. Avoid Standing Water and Flooded Roads
TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. Puddles can hide deep potholes, debris or even sinkholes. Driving through standing water can splash your windshield, completely blinding you for several seconds. More importantly, never attempt to drive through flowing water. It only takes a few inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle off the road. If you encounter a flooded section, turn around and find an alternate route.
If you’ve been injured on the road, contact Locke Henry Law today. You will not be charged for your first conversation with us, and there is no obligation to hire our firm; choosing legal representation is always up to you. If you are interested in hiring our firm you won’t be charged a fee unless we win your case. You can call us or send us a message at any time.