Tips for Driving in the Rain

It’s no surprise that rain can cause road surfaces to become slippery, but rain can also leading to some other unexpected dangerous driving conditions too. Check out these tips for staying safe while driving in the rain:

1. SLOW DOWN.

   Rain can greatly reduce visibility. The more rain, the more your visibility is affected. Remember to drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see ahead (which is now reduced.)The faster you go, the more chance you’ll also run into hydroplaning.

2. AVOID HYDROPLANING

   Hydroplaning can be a very dangerous situation that happens when you drive over too much water at too much speed. Your wheels gliding on top of the water and your vehicle loses direct contact with the road. This can lead to your steering and/or braking becoming less effective than usual, or completely useless.

   If you turn your steering wheel to follow the road and your vehicle does not responded (it keeps going straight,) gently and smoothly steer back to allow the wheels to remain straight again, then ease off the accelerator. This will help the wheels rotate better and can help you regain traction on the road surface once again. Once you feel you have regained better traction, you can gently steer and apply the brakes to help maintain vehicle control.

3. BE AWARE!

   Keep moving your eyes to help you spot any pedestrians or cyclists who are out in the rain. Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition as well. If your wiper blades do not clean the windshield without streaking, it would be time to replace them.

4. PLAN AHEAD.

   In rainy conditions, look ahead and plan your movements. Smoother steering, smoother braking, and smoother acceleration will help to reduce the chance of losing control.

5. BACK OFF!

   Leaving a larger distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, just in case you have to stop quickly, will help you avoid any potential issues. Having a bit more room between you and the vehicle ahead will also help you avoid additional spray coming from their vehicle which can make it even more difficult for you to see effectively.

6. AVOID LARGE PUDDLES

   Seeing huge puddles appear where you don’t normally see them can feel like fun, but there can be hidden dangers. If you can’t see below the surface, they could be hiding potholes or debris which could damage your vehicle. You also do not know how deep the water is, and hitting deep water at speed can cause you to lose control quickly. The spray of water from a deeper puddle can also cause issues for other drivers on the road, your engine to stall and it may also cause your brakes to become less effective.

7. SLOW DOWN (again.)

   Remember – speed limits are for ideal conditions, and driving in the rain is NOT ideal. Give yourself more time to get to your destination.

Drive safe, and remember:

Adjust your actions to match the situation and maintain control of your vehicle at all times!