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Ensuring Your Safety When Buying a Used Car Having a car is more than a want for many people. For individuals who require a vehicle to work, it’s an absolute necessity. At the same...
Driving in the Rain Safety Tips
Driving in the Rain Safety Tips
When you are driving, safety should always come first. Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds, and so many of them are unavoidable. This is not to say, however, that accidents are not preventable. Driving can be more dangerous in some instances than others, such as when it's pouring down with rain. Vehicles can easily slide off the road when there is a lot of rain accumulating on the street or when rain is falling hard. It is the responsibility of the driver to make sure he or she drives safely in bad weather and driving in heavy rain. Paying close attention and reducing your speed are the most important factors when it comes to driving safety no matter what you are facing. We hope that this Driving in the Rain Safety Tips post inspires you.
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Driving in the Rain Safety Tips
The most important thing to do when driving in heavy rain is to drive at or below the posted speed limit. Everyone has heard over and over about how speeding is a killer, and this is true. Speeding down the road on a sunny, dry day is dangerous. So, you can understand how speeding when it's wet and visibility is poor would be more life-threatening. You should be alert and careful behind the wheel at all times so that you and other drivers on the road are safe. NHTSA recommends driving slowly in the rain at all times.
Driving in the rain requires extra caution and adjustments to your normal driving habits. Here are some safety tips to remember:
Before you Drive
- If possible, wait for the weather to improve. If your trip is not essential, consider postponing it until the rain stops.
- Make sure your car is in good working order. Check your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and windshield wipers to ensure they are functioning properly. Ensure your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.
While Driving
When a downpour reduces visibility, this is when accidents happen. Sometimes you or a vehicle near you will hit a puddle, and for a moment a giant cascade of water will block your view of the road in front of you, which is terrifying. For this reason, it's best to avoid passing large trucks and buses when it's raining. If visibility is especially poor, find a safe area to pull over to the side of the road until the conditions improve. It is always worth your wait to make it to your destination safely and in one piece. Other safety tips for driving in a downpour include using your headlights at all times, staying in the left lane on the highway, and tapping your brakes through curves.
- Slow down. It takes longer to stop on wet roads, so reduce your speed significantly from the posted limit.
- Increase the following distance. Double or even triple the distance you normally maintain between your car and the car in front of you.
- Turn on your headlights. This will make your car more visible to other drivers, even during daylight hours.
- Avoid harsh maneuvers. Brake, accelerate, and turn gently to avoid skidding or losing control.
- Use your low beams. High beams can reflect off the rain and create a glare, making it difficult to see.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for other drivers, pedestrians, and potential hazards like flooded areas or fallen objects.
- Avoid using cruise control. Cruise control can make it difficult to react quickly to changing road conditions.
If you Hydroplane
- Stay calm and do not slam on the brakes. This can worsen the situation.
- Take your foot off the gas pedal. This will allow your tires to regain traction.
- Steer gently in the direction you want to go. This will help you maintain control of the vehicle.
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Maintain Your Car
Always make sure your vehicle's windshield wipers are in good condition. Many people don't realize how important they are, but they can make a huge difference when driving in bad weather. Poor windshield wipers will make you wish you had replaced them when it's pouring down rain, so be sure to change them before it gets to that point. Windshield wipers should be replaced every year, and many times, on older vehicles, the arm must be replaced as well. Both of these replacements are relatively inexpensive. It's also a great idea to have a wax applied to your windshield that will cause raindrops to bead, which leads to improved visibility.
It's important to keep your tires maintained so that you have good traction on the road. Old tires that have lost most of their tread will put you at a higher risk of hydroplaning. The proper amount of tire tread will give water a place to go when you drive over it. Without the tread, your tires will float on top of the water, allowing your vehicle to slip and slide out of control. For this reason, it is crucial to make sure your tires are in good condition when the rainy season approaches.
By following these tips, you can help to stay safe on the road when driving in the rain. Remember, the most important thing when driving in heavy rain is to adjust your speed and driving behavior to the weather conditions. We hope that this Driving in the Rain Safety Tips post inspires you. Good luck!
