With summer now in full swing, sunny days are ahead, but the heat and humidity also bring rain. Heavy rain means some potentially dangerous driving conditions. Driving in the rain, especially at night, poses some challenges to visibility. Rain reduces the effectiveness of your headlights, reduces overall visibility, and causes poor traction. You need to exercise greater caution than usual when driving in heavy rain.
Here are our tips for safe rainy day driving:
1. Windshield Wipers:
It is crucial to make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order. Worn-out wiper blades will not clear your windshield and will not help you in a heavy downpour. Remember to keep your windshield washer tank filled and keep extra windshield washer fluid with you. More on this website
Do not follow trucks or buses too closely- the large amounts of splashing and spray off from these vehicles will obscure your vision.
2. Check your lights:your headlights, tail lights, your brake lights, and your turn signals before you set out.
Check your headlights and make sure both of them are in working order. If you need to get them replaced, it may be worthwhile to replace both of them just to be on the safe side. When driving in the rain, daytime lights aren’t going to be effective. Turn your headlights on.
3. Don’t allow your car to fog up. Turn on the defroster to clear away foggy windows, both inside and out. You need to keep visibility at a maximum.
4. Don’t be distracted!
Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times and make sure your hands remain there. Keep cell phones and other handheld devices where they belong.
Keep a close eye on the road surface as driving over objects can be very dangerous!
5. Hydroplaning: Be wary of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when the water in front of your cars’ tires builds up faster than your car’s weight can push it away. Your tires essentially are skimming over the top of the water as a result of an accumulation of water build-up under them. It is dangerous and results in a loss of control; you will lose the ability to properly steer your car due to the loss of traction control.
It is recommended if a possible drive in the middle lane(s) as water tends to collect in the outside lanes.
6. Check your tires regularly. Check your tire pressure to make sure it is at the correct specification. If your tire pressure is too low, it can increase your chances of hydroplaning. If your tire pressure is too high, it will affect your traction. Be sure to check your tire treads to see if your tires are balding.
7. Slow down: Take note that it will take you longer to stop. You will not have the same level of control over your car as you do in dry weather. Be especially cautious when driving on roads that curve.
Increase the following distance between your car and the car in front of you. Try to stay 5 car lengths behind the car in front of you. This will allow you to have enough reaction time if the car ahead of you does something unexpected.
8. Signal your turns well in advance. Rain decreases visibility. You have a better chance of being seen if you give other drivers advance warning.
9. When in doubt, pull over: Pull over to the side of the road, as far away from traffic as possible, or to a nearby driveway if the rain is too heavy to operate your vehicle in. Be sure to turn on hazard lights so other cars see you.
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