Strange as it seems, driving in rainy conditions can be more dangerous than driving in snow. Many drivers who avoid driving in snow for safety reasons have no such compulsion when it comes to driving in the rain, but maybe they should. The Automobile Club of America (AAA) reports that wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million car crashes annually. Additionally, here are surprising accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
75% of weather-related vehicle accidents happen on wet pavement and 47% happen during active rainfall.
Only 15% of weather-related vehicle accidents happen during snow or sleet and 24% on snowy or slushy pavement.
It doesn’t take a torrential downpour to make roads dangerous for driving. Light rainfall that doesn’t obscure visibility can still create unsafe wet and slippery road surface conditions for drivers. Oil and grease that build up on the roads in dry periods can come to the surface even in light rainfall, creating a very slick surface causing skidding. The risk is especially high during the first half hour of rainfall before that coating gets washed away by heavier rain. Forewarned is forearmed so here are nine safety tips for driving in rainy conditions.
Slow down
This is the single most important way to reduce the chance of an accident. High speeds cause less traction and grip and increase stopping time when you brake. Both can dangerously slow your vehicle’s reaction time on wet roads. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 mph and becomes most dangerous at 55 mph and above.
Make sure your tires are safe
Bald tires, over-or under-inflated tires, or the wrong size tires are never a good idea and in rainy, wet weather they can become a real hazard. Maintaining good traction is imperative on wet roadways so be sure your tires have enough tread and correct tire pressure before you venture out. Regularly check the pressure when the tires are cold and keep them properly inflated. Periodically check your spare to be sure it is ready for action if needed.
Turn on your lights
In normal driving circumstances it’s important and mandatory that all headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals are properly functioning. Your car’s lights are necessary so that you can see and be seen by other drivers, especially in bad weather. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive in the rain.
Don’t drive if you can’t see clearly
Before you drive in the rain, make sure your windshield wipers are in good working condition and completely clear your windshield at any wiper speed in light rain or a heavy downpour. But even with all your lights working and your wipers doing their thing, in exceptionally heavy rain your vision can be significantly obscured, and the safest thing is to pull over and wait out the storm. If possible, find a rest stop or parking lot to wait out the downpour or on the roadside, pull off as far as you can and keep your hazard lights on so other drivers can see you. This includes if your windows get so foggy you can’t see out. First, pull over and then adjust the A/C and stay put until it clears up the fog before you drive.
Leave more space between you and other cars
Tailgating is a national pastime but it’s especially dangerous in rainy conditions. Wet roads increase stopping times so you should keep a greater distance between you and other cars on the road. Begin to slow down sooner as you approach intersections or turns to make sure you don’t collide with someone who didn’t slow down in time. On the open road, be aware of big rigs and larger vehicles that can be buffeted by strong winds causing swerving as well as excessive spray from their tires that obscures your visibility. There is safety in distance.
Turn off cruise control
Cruise control is a handy feature of most modern cars, but it’s only safe in dry conditions. If used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase. For instance, to prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to quickly reduce speed by lifting off the accelerator, but with cruise control on, this won’t happen. Drivers have more control options when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, using both the gas and brake in tune.
Avoid hard braking and sharp turning
Along with lower speeds when driving in the rain, slow and steady movements with brakes and steering will help maintain control of your car. Anticipate needing more time for your car to slow and taking your foot off the accelerator earlier than you normally would begins the slowing process even before you apply brakes. Taking corners slower on wet roads will help prevent skidding and smooth rather than jerky steering keeps the car going exactly where you want it to.
Don’t drive through standing water
When water pools on the road it can increase the likelihood of hydroplaning. Especially on unfamiliar roads where you don’t know the depth of the pothole or puddle, drive around places where water has collected by changing lanes or steering around the area. On freeways, stay in the middle lanes as much as possible where water is less likely to pool. Pay attention to the drivers in front of you for sudden swerves or “tidal waves” from drivers hitting deep puddles at speed. Slow down and avoid any possible danger.
How to handle hydroplaning and skidding
Hydroplaning or skidding are both results of your wheels losing traction due to slippery, rainy roads. (It only takes 1/10th of an inch of water sitting on the road to trigger the potential for hydroplaning.) Skidding is loss of control on a slippery surface and hydroplaning is when the rear wheels lose their grip on the road, riding on a layer of water and moving your vehicle sideways instead of forward. It’s a helpless and scary feeling, but you can regain control if you don’t panic. Most importantly, don’t slam on the brakes and jerk the steering wheel.
Take your foot off the accelerator, letting the vehicle slow down on its own.
Steer in the direction of the skid; don’t fight the direction because that will only make it harder to regain control of your vehicle.
For anti-lock (ASB) brakes, apply steady pressure on the brakes. You will still maintain control of steering while the brakes are applied.
If your car is equipped with standard brakes, do not apply the brakes as that can cause the steering to lock up. Only apply the brakes once you have regained control of the steering and your car has started to slow down on its own.
Safety first before you hit the road
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