6 Tips to Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain
One of the trickiest conditions to drive in is rainy weather. It doesn’t even have to be a heavy downpour; a light drizzle can affect visibility and the way your car handles. That’s why it’s not surprising that multiple studies have shown both rain and snow can increase the risk of vehicular accidents.
Unfortunately, there will definitely be times when you’ll get caught in a sudden rainstorm while driving. There will also be times when you absolutely have to brave the torrents (such as during emergencies).
The good thing is that there are several things you can do to help you drive safely in the rain. Here are some basic tips:
Brake Earlier, Using Less Pressure
Continuous rainfall can make any road slick and slippery, affecting your vehicle’s brakes the most. Thus, you may need to adjust how soon you step on the brake pedal to accommodate the change in traction.
When it rains, you should brake earlier than usual. Give yourself an additional 2 to 3 seconds of stopping distance between you and the car in front. This also gives the driver behind you ample warning that they also need to slow down and stop.
Of course, you need to make sure that your car’s brake components are in good shape before driving. Visit a reliable auto parts supplier to get quality parts that will deliver top-notch performance and last for years.
6 Tips to Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain
One of the trickiest conditions to drive in is rainy weather. It doesn’t even have to be a heavy downpour; a light drizzle can affect visibility and the way your car handles. That’s why it’s not surprising that multiple studies have shown both rain and snow can increase the risk of vehicular accidents.
Unfortunately, there will definitely be times when you’ll get caught in a sudden rainstorm while driving. There will also be times when you absolutely have to brave the torrents (such as during emergencies).
The good thing is that there are several things you can do to help you drive safely in the rain. Here are some basic tips:
Brake Earlier, Using Less Pressure
Continuous rainfall can make any road slick and slippery, affecting your vehicle’s brakes the most. Thus, you may need to adjust how soon you step on the brake pedal to accommodate the change in traction.
When it rains, you should brake earlier than usual. Give yourself an additional 2 to 3 seconds of stopping distance between you and the car in front. This also gives the driver behind you ample warning that they also need to slow down and stop.
Of course, you need to make sure that your car’s brake components are in good shape before driving. Visit a reliable auto parts supplier to get quality parts that will deliver top-notch performance and last for years.
Check Your Vehicle’s Tyre Treads (Along With Other Components)
One of the biggest dangers of driving in the rain is reduced traction. This situation gets significantly worse if you drive with balding tyres (which you shouldn’t do, whether or not it’s raining).
Do note that premium tyres can last up to 5 or 6 years with normal use, so it’s easy to forget to check on them. Set a regular reminder on your calendar to inspect the condition of the treads. Once they hit the wear indicator, it’s time for a replacement. You can also use the tyre’s production year and use that as a reference.
Other components that need to be in good working order before you drive in the rain include your headlights and tail lights. Your windshield wipers are also critically important, so check the material if it’s still in good condition or if it’s already brittle and needs replacing. Note that worn windshield wipers aren’t just ineffective against the rain; they can also scratch your windshield.
Know the Signs and What to Do in Case of Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is when your vehicle’s tyres lose traction on a wet road. This is characterised by a slow but steady sliding of the wheels and the loss of vehicle control and braking power. You may also notice that the speedometer and RPM indicator are ticking up.
What’s worse is that it can happen even after just a few minutes of light rain. As long as there’s about 1/12 inch of rain on the road and you’re going above 50 kilometres per hour, your vehicle can hydroplane.
In case this happens, don’t slam on the brakes or accelerate in a panic. Instead, slowly let off the gas pedal and keep your car going straight if you can. If your car spins, turn in the same direction in a gentle manner. Don’t jerk the steering wheel into the opposite direction in an attempt to correct the spinning because this can flip your car.
Once you get back control of your vehicle, your next goal is to pull over to the side of the road to call for help and wait for the conditions to get better.
Turn Off Cruise Control
When it’s raining hard, you want to be in precise control of your vehicle, so it’s a good idea to turn off cruise control. If you hydroplane while the feature is on, it will make your car go faster and make it more difficult to handle.
Avoid Puddles If You Can
If you spot a puddle up ahead, avoid driving through it as much as possible. It’s hard to determine how deep a puddle is just by looking, and you might end up splashing your car’s electrical system. A puddle hiding a deep pothole can also damage your car’s undercarriage.
Of course, make sure to manoeuvre your vehicle carefully. If you can’t avoid the puddle, lightly tap the brake pedal once you’re through. The action can help dry your brake rotors.
Turn on Your Headlights
When you’re driving in heavy rain, turn on your headlights. It doesn’t matter if it’s during the day and even if you can still clearly see ahead. With the added illumination, you can improve visibility for everyone using the road—including pedestrians.
However, if the downpour is particularly heavy, it may be better to just pull over and wait. Turn on your hazard lights so that those who are still driving can see you better.
Last but certainly not least, stay calm. Panicking will do you more harm than good when you’re driving in a less-than-ideal situation.
One of the biggest dangers of driving in the rain is reduced traction. This situation gets significantly worse if you drive with balding tyres (which you shouldn’t do, whether or not it’s raining).
Do note that premium tyres can last up to 5 or 6 years with normal use, so it’s easy to forget to check on them. Set a regular reminder on your calendar to inspect the condition of the treads. Once they hit the wear indicator, it’s time for a replacement. You can also use the tyre’s production year and use that as a reference.
Other components that need to be in good working order before you drive in the rain include your headlights and tail lights. Your windshield wipers are also critically important, so check the material if it’s still in good condition or if it’s already brittle and needs replacing. Note that worn windshield wipers aren’t just ineffective against the rain; they can also scratch your windshield.
Know the Signs and What to Do in Case of Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is when your vehicle’s tyres lose traction on a wet road. This is characterised by a slow but steady sliding of the wheels and the loss of vehicle control and braking power. You may also notice that the speedometer and RPM indicator are ticking up.
What’s worse is that it can happen even after just a few minutes of light rain. As long as there’s about 1/12 inch of rain on the road and you’re going above 50 kilometres per hour, your vehicle can hydroplane.
In case this happens, don’t slam on the brakes or accelerate in a panic. Instead, slowly let off the gas pedal and keep your car going straight if you can. If your car spins, turn in the same direction in a gentle manner. Don’t jerk the steering wheel into the opposite direction in an attempt to correct the spinning because this can flip your car.
Once you get back control of your vehicle, your next goal is to pull over to the side of the road to call for help and wait for the conditions to get better.
Turn Off Cruise Control
When it’s raining hard, you want to be in precise control of your vehicle, so it’s a good idea to turn off cruise control. If you hydroplane while the feature is on, it will make your car go faster and make it more difficult to handle.
Avoid Puddles If You Can
If you spot a puddle up ahead, avoid driving through it as much as possible. It’s hard to determine how deep a puddle is just by looking, and you might end up splashing your car’s electrical system. A puddle hiding a deep pothole can also damage your car’s undercarriage.
Of course, make sure to manoeuvre your vehicle carefully. If you can’t avoid the puddle, lightly tap the brake pedal once you’re through. The action can help dry your brake rotors.
Turn on Your Headlights
When you’re driving in heavy rain, turn on your headlights. It doesn’t matter if it’s during the day and even if you can still clearly see ahead. With the added illumination, you can improve visibility for everyone using the road—including pedestrians.
However, if the downpour is particularly heavy, it may be better to just pull over and wait. Turn on your hazard lights so that those who are still driving can see you better.
Last but certainly not least, stay calm. Panicking will do you more harm than good when you’re driving in a less-than-ideal situation.