Driving in rainy conditions poses significant risks, with wet roads contributing to over 1 million car accidents annually. Key safety tips include ensuring visibility by replacing wipers and using headlights, maintaining proper tire inflation, avoiding cruise control, slowing down, and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. In case of skidding or hydroplaning, it is crucial to stay calm, steer in the desired direction, and refrain from sudden braking.

1. A Safer Drive in the Rain
By: Steven Schwartzapfel

2. Not only does Spring and Summer mean
warmer temperatures, but it also means
more rain, which often leads to flooding.
Wet roads and flooding cause over 1
million car accidents each year. Here are
some tips to follow for a safer drive in the
rain:

3. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 1
When wet weather strikes
while driving, your goal should
be to see and be seen.
Therefore, it is wise to replace
your windshield wipers so that
they don’t leave streaks. Make
sure your headlights, taillights,
brake lights and turn signals
are all properly working so
other drivers see you. The rule
of thumb is anytime your
wipers are on; your headlights
should be on as well.

4. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 2
To maintain good traction on
wet roads, it is imperative that
tires are properly inflated. The
trick to do this is to insert a
quarter into the tire’s tread and
if Washington’s head is
showing, your tires are under
inflated. If you spot any thin
bald strips across two or more
tire treads, it indicates that the
tires have worn to an unsafe
tread level and should be
replaced immediately.

5. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 3
When driving in wet-weather
conditions, avoid using cruise
control as this will increase the
chances of losing control of the
vehicle.

6. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 4
Slowing down and leaving space are two crucial things
one can do when driving in wet weather. Driving slow
reduces your chance of hydroplaning and losing control
of the vehicle. It is important to also increase the
following distance of the vehicle in front of you to allow
plenty of stopping distance.

7. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 5
If you feel your car begin to
skid, don’t panic. Instead steer
in the direction in which you
want the car to go. Avoid
slamming on the brakes as this
will further disturb the vehicle’s
balance making it harder to
gain back control of your car.

8. A Safer Drive in the Rain Tip # 6
If you feel the car starting to
hydroplane, don’t brake or turn
the wheel. Instead, take your
foot off the gas pedal and steer
straight until the car regains
traction. When driving in the
rain, stay toward the middle
lanes as water tends to pool in
the outside lanes. You can
help reduce the likeliness of
hydroplaning by following the
“tracks” made by the vehicle in
front of you.

9. As you can see, driving in wet weather
presents many challenges. Here’s a
simple rule to remember:
Increased speed increases the risks, so
DRIVE SLOW!

10. As you can see, driving in wet weather
presents many challenges. Here’s a
simple rule to remember:
Increased speed increases the risks, so
DRIVE SLOW!