Key Takeaways
- Driving in the rain is challenging even for the most experienced of drivers.
- Ensure your car is well-maintained so your visibility and tread are not affected during wet weather conditions.
- Plan your route to avoid poorly-constructed roads, underpasses, or ditches.
- Drive slowly and carefully, so you don’t lose control of your car or cause it to hydroplane.
- Steer precisely and don’t jam the brakes; lift your foot off the accelerator and press the brakes gently.
- Don’t panic – remember to ground yourself to help avoid skidding and hydroplaning.
Rainy weather and wet roads are among the worst driving conditions regularly. Driving is ten times more hazardous when roads are damp, and your vision is obscured.
Though decreasing your car’s speed on wet roads is also essential, there are many other things to consider before driving in the rain – especially since more than half of fatalities and weather-related vehicle accidents happen during rain or floods, according to the National Weather Service.
Here are five things you should consider to ensure you can drive safely during the wet season.
Your Car Should Be Well-Maintained
Driving in the rain limits your road visibility more than anything, so ensuring that your car’s condition isn’t already obscuring your sight is imperative.
Therefore, make it a habit to clean both surfaces of your windshields and windows. Check that your windshield wipers and your washer fluid levels are adequate.
Your car should be able to handle the rain, and for that, you need to ensure your tires are well-inflated, your vehicle is clean, and visibility is unobscured. Ensure your tire pressure is sufficient so your tires have good traction and tread on the road. A deeper tread creates better traction since it helps remove the water between the tire and the road surface.
Furthermore, you should test your windshield wipers before driving in the rain to ensure they perform well. Consider applying water-repellent materials on your windshield if your area expects heavy downpours. You can also turn on the defroster to avoid foggy windows and maximize visibility.
Moreover, wipe down dirt from your headlights, tail lights, brake lights, etc., to ensure other cars can also see you. Remember, you’re twice as visible to others with your headlights are on!
Plan Your Route
The construction of roads varies in different parts of the country according to their climate conditions. Hence, if you still need to familiarize yourself with an area, be extra cautious driving in the rain there. In Southern states especially, the asphalt is less compressed, making the road look dry when damp and muddy. This can make your tires wet and slick without you even realizing it.
Additionally, you should consider your route; avoid low-lying underpasses or uneven roads with ditches, and choose the freeway instead. When driving in the rain, make sure you’re not going too close to the car in front of you – you should be at least five seconds behind, minimizing the possibility of hitting the other vehicle.
Keep some space on at least one of your vehicle’s sides on the highway or a multi-lane road. This will give you enough room to move left or right if something happens and you don’t have enough time to brake.
Drive Slow And Steady
Whatever you do, don’t pressure yourself to drive till the posted speed limit. The speed limit is the maximum speed for perfect weather and road conditions – so if the road is wet, the speed limit could be too fast to drive on it. Hence, ensure you move at a steady, smooth, and comfortable pace with maximum control.
If the water on the road causes you to hydroplane, the acceleration can make you lose control of your vehicle. Additionally, do not use cruise control when it’s raining. When driving in the rain, it is much easier to lose traction, especially when cruise control is engaged.
When you lift your foot off the accelerator, weight is transferred to the front of the car, slowing you down enough for your vehicle to regain traction. However, the car won’t slow down when cruise control is activated unless you press the brake. Hence, it’s best if you avoid cruise control to avoid the risk of losing traction.
Instead, be careful and steady with your steering changes, and slow your vehicle down gradually by taking your foot off the gas earlier and gently pressing the brakes.
Steer Precisely
If you’re driving in the rain and your car begins hydroplaning out of control, turn the steering in the exact direction you want to go. If you don’t manage to steer out of the skid on the first try, don’t worry – keep trying to get back on course, and eventually, you will.
Hydroplaning can be very frightening, and most drivers’ first instinct is to step on the brakes. However, it would help if you lifted your foot off the accelerator as this will slowly but surely get traction back to your front tires by shifting more weight to the front.
If that doesn’t work, gently press the brakes by putting your heel on the floor and using the ball of your foot to push the pedals. This will give you more braking control than pressing too hard, increasing the risk of a rear tire skid.
Don’t Freak Out
The first rule of thumb when you’re stuck in a hydroplaning car is not to freak out. Turning your steering wildly or jamming the brakes will not help you. Keep a clear head and continue looking and steering in the direction you want the car to go, and you are ten times more likely to correct the skid.
Keeping your eyes focused on the road will help you ground yourself, giving your brain enough time for your limbs to do what should be done to get out of the situation safely.
Remember, when driving in the rain, your vehicle’s reaction time is much slower on slippery
roads. Hence, keep your speed low to avoid skidding and hydroplaning.
Conclusion
Driving in rainy weather is more hazardous and tricky than regular driving. Hence, it’s best to remain alert when driving on slippery roads, incorporating the above tips into your driving style.
If you’re still unsure about driving in wet weather conditions or think your car isn’t fit for operating in harsh conditions, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. At Acura of Tempe, our certified professionals can guide you through all driving-related queries, ensuring no confusion remains.
If you think your car’s condition isn’t optimal for driving in the rain, check out our service and parts specials, our Authorized Tire Centre, or visit our dealership at 7800 S Autoplex Loop, Tempe, AZ.
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