Three Tips for Safe Driving in the Rain

A view out of a car windshield, obscure by rain dropsWe all want to drive in pristine and safe conditions, but sometimes that’s not possible. You’ll have to deal with unpleasant weather while driving quite a few times throughout your life in all likelihood.

More specifically, you’ll have to deal with rain. As the old saying goes, “a little rain never hurt anyone.” But a consistent downpour can create pretty hazardous conditions. This is why such a high percentage of car accidents take place during rainy weather. Luckily, there are some ways you can protect yourself. Here are a few of them:

Go Slow and Steady

When you’re driving through a serious rainstorm, there’s no need to rush. The slower you go; the more time you’ll have to react should you lose control or need to stop quickly. The roads will be slick not only because of the rain, but because of the oils that are pushed to the surface by the rain. Additionally, you should avoid making any abrupt moves and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Turn on your lights for better visibility for both you and other drivers.

Be Prepared

Your vehicle should always be prepared to travel in the rains. One way to do so is to choose the right tires and properly maintain them. If you travel in the rain a good amount, you should pick a tire with tread design and rubber compounds that will enhance your ability to drive in wet weather. It’s also important to check the tires regularly to ensure the tread hasn’t worn too much. Anything below 1.6 millimeters will not provide good wet traction.

Beware of Hydroplaning

One risk of driving in the rain is hydroplaning – this happens when you drive through standing water and lose traction, causing the vehicle to skid across the surface of the road. If you feel this happening to your vehicle, take your foot off the gas and keep steering in the correct direction. Do not try to brake. Of course, you should also look to avoid standing water in the first place.

Beware of Drag

Another risk of driving through standing water is “drag”. Driving through the water retards the wheel(s) on the side of the standing water and drag or pull your vehicle to that side. By anticipating that this can happen, you can counter the drag/pull with gentle steering wheel movements to maintain your position in the lane.

Being a safe driver in the rain should help you cut down on the risk of getting in an accident. But if you find yourself in an accident anyway, 4N6XPRT Systems can set you up with an accident construction report. Our forensic accident reconstruction and investigation software is highly accurate, providing you with the information you need for court, insurance, or other purposes. To learn more about our software and services, give us a call at 619-464-3478 today!