Thursday, 14 April, 2022
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the weather causes 21% of car crashes each year. Of these 21% accidents, 70% occur on wet pavement with 46% of them happening during rainfall. It’s important to be alert when you’re driving so you can respond appropriately to changing conditions and adapt to your surroundings. To help you drive more safely, we’ve prepared a list of tips for driving in the rain.
Avoid Driving in the Rain
While not always possible, consider delaying your trip until the rain stops. Stay where you are until the heavy rain slows down or stops completely before you drive. This allows you to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation that you feel uncomfortable handling.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control can be convenient during normal driving conditions, such as driving on the highway on a sunny day. However, it’s important to avoid using it when driving during the rain because you may lose control of your vehicle. Driving without cruise control may help keep you engaged when driving. It also allows you to reduce speed more easily as you drive, which is essential when driving in the rain to prevent traction loss in the slick conditions.
Drive Slowly
It’s important to adhere to the speed limit in normal driving conditions, but it’s crucial when driving in the rain. Rain can reduce your vehicle’s reaction time, making it more difficult to respond quickly and safely to hazards. Driving slowly may also prevent you from hydroplaning. To help avoid the temptation of driving too quickly in the rain, consider checking the weather before you need to leave, and factor in extra time for your commute.
Turn On Your Headlights
Be sure to activate your headlights when driving. Most states legally require drivers to have their headlights turned on when it’s raining. This improves your visibility and helps other drivers see you more easily. However, it’s important to avoid using your high beams or hazard lights in the rain. Some states have laws against using them, as these may also cause distractions for other drivers or make it difficult for them to see properly.
Pull Over if There’s No Visibility
If the rain is so heavy that it becomes difficult to see, find a safe location to stop. If you pull over onto the shoulder of the road, be sure to turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your presence. Wait until the rain slows or stops, then safely merge back into traffic to continue your drive.
Monitor Your Tires
Keep an eye on your tires, and check their treads and pressure levels often. It’s important to keep a proactive approach to avoid driving with balding tires. If your tires don’t have any tread, it may be difficult for you to maintain traction when driving on wet roads. If you’re unsure about the current status of your tires, visit a tire center for a professional opinion about whether it’s time to replace your tires.
Drive in the Middle Lanes
When possible, try to drive in the middle lanes. This may help you avoid water that pools in the outside lanes. As a result, you may be able to avoid having to navigate flood-like conditions.
Keep a Safe Distance
Maintain proper distance between you and other vehicles. If possible, try to keep several car lengths between you and other vehicles, and continue to drive slowly. This helps provide you with enough time and distance to brake slowly and safely when necessary.
Brake Slowly
Try to avoid hard braking when driving. If you brake too quickly, your tires may struggle to get the necessary traction they need to slow the vehicle. Instead, remove your foot from the accelerator to allow your vehicle to slow naturally. This provides you with enough time to stop and creates room for other drivers to do the same.
Respond to Skids Properly
Keep calm if your vehicle begins to skid. Avoid slamming on your brakes to help you remain in control of your vehicle. Instead, gently steer in the direction you want to go to in order to help correct your car’s path.
Remain Calm if You Hydroplane
Hydroplaning occurs when your vehicle’s tires no longer have traction on the road and, instead, travel over the water. If you feel your car is beginning to hydroplane, try to remain calm. Avoid steering your vehicle, and slowly remove your foot from the gas so that your car can naturally slow down. Only accelerate again once your car has normal contact with the road again.
Check Your Car Equipment
Check your car’s equipment often to ensure everything functions properly to avoid issues when driving in the rain. For example, verify that all of your headlights and tail lights work, and test your windshield wipers to make sure they clear your windshield well. If you notice any issues, be sure to visit a professional service center to fix them.
Avoid Standing Water
Avoid driving through areas of standing water. It can be difficult to know just how deep water is, and a flooded road may cause your car to take on water or even float. If you notice large areas of standing water, try to turn around, switch lanes, steer around the areas, or, if you have no other options, look for depth gauges that may help you assess how deep the water is before driving through it.
Ventilate Your Car
Try to reduce the fogginess in your vehicle that is caused by the rain’s humidity. Try turning on your rear and front defrosters to help reduce the fog. When combined with windshield wipers, this is often effective for providing a clear visual for driving safely.
We’ve reached the end of our list of tips for driving in the rain. We hope you’ve learned something new to help you drive in the rain more safely. If you’re interested in learning more about driving safely and the features available in Hyundai vehicles to help you do so, contact us today.
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