Tips for Driving in the Rain
Rain, rain go away; come again another day. The playground chant may come to mind on spring mornings as you look out the window at a few droplets, a steady drizzle, or a torrential downpour. But although we usually remember to take an umbrella or a raincoat, we often forget our rainy-day driving techniques. This article will provide you with some reminders for safe driving as you head out on a wet, misty, or foggy journey.
Taking Precautions
Rain driving safety begins before you even get behind the wheel. Make sure that your windshield wipers work properly, and that the blades clear the windshield evenly and cleanly. Make sure your tire treads are gripping well and that tires are inflated properly. Check that your headlights, signal lights, and brake lights are all working. Be confident that your braking system is in tip-top shape.
As you get into your car, adjust the air ventilation system to the right setting. Often when it’s raining, the interior of the car windows will become “fogged up,” and setting the air vents or air conditioning properly can help to keep this from happening. Cracking open the driver’s side window slightly can also help to keep the windshield clear.
If you are wearing a raincoat, make sure that it doesn’t restrict your movements; likewise with rainboots. Because these clothing articles aren’t worn much, they may be a bit unfamiliar to you, and you’ll need to be sure that they won’t restrict your ability to drive.
Before pulling into traffic, turn on your headlights. As you begin driving, refrain from using cruise control; it hampers your ability to respond quickly, and if your car does start to hydroplane, cruise control doesn’t allow weight to be transferred to the front wheels in the same way as lifting your foot off the gas does.
Some guidelines to keep in mind when driving in the rain:
- Don’t. If you don’t have to drive in heavy rain, don’t do it. Accidents increase when weather conditions deteriorate, and the heavier the rain, the more likely you are to be involved in a collision. If your trip is not completely necessary, postpone it.
- Slow down. Even with good tires, braking in wet conditions is about half as effective as braking in good road conditions. If it’s raining, slow down! Your ability to control your vehicle will increase, and reacting to any problems will be easier. Speed limits are set for ideal road conditions, not for inclement weather.
- Be mindful of your car’s position. Because it’s harder to stop, increase the space between your car and the car in front of you. This will help to prevent rear-end collisions. In addition, stay away from the road’s shoulders, where water can accumulate.
- Don’t power through puddles. It can be tempting to speed up to get through a large puddle, but the resulting upward spray of water can get into the engine bay or the electronics, damaging your vehicle’s ability to operate. Sluicing through a puddle can also cause the vehicle to veer to one side of the road, so be mindful of this effect. Never attempt to get through deep water, as your car could become submerged, leading to severe vehicle damage or worse.
Difficult Situations
Sometimes we underestimate the weather system, or drive into a serious storm. If you’re already driving when heavy rains start creating problems, find a way to pull off the road until the worst of the rainstorm passes over. If you can’t see out of your windshield even when the wipers are on their highest setting, you are a safety hazard. (Never simply pull over onto the shoulder, as you may be hit by a driver whose visibility is similarly affected.)
A common problem when driving on rain-slick roads is hydroplaning. This happens when the four contact points of your tires “surf” on top of water, and lose contact with the road itself. The car will feel out of control, steering will feel “light.” Don’t panic! Stay calm and look toward where you want the car to go. Ease your foot off the gas and ease on the brake. Steer gently toward a place on the road with less water accumulation.
Finally, if you are injured in an accident that happens in any kind of weather, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. A good law firm that handles personal injury cases will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your situation. Your lawyer can advise you about your options, and help you to decide on a course of action. But be sure to contact a lawyer as soon as possible – physical evidence, eyewitness accounts and photos of the scene are easier to obtain in the hours after the accident than they will be later on. A good lawyer can help you to navigate complicated insurance company claim requirements, or help you to prepare for a court case in order to receive the compensation you deserve.