Rainstorms turn the road into a dangerous place very quickly. The decreased visibility, wet surfaces, and sometimes panicked drivers on the road make driving in the rain worrisome. There are several ways to help make sure you’re prepared for inclement weather, which will help reduce your chances of an accident and make the road a safer place for everyone else.
Keep Your Vehicle in Good Condition
Cars that have missed inspections, old brakes, and other maintenance issues are not as safe to drive, especially in bad weather. Old tires and worn out windshield wipers will do you no favors in the rain. Make sure to keep up with routine maintenance. You’ll want to replace tires every 25,000 to 50,000 miles, or follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual. Brake pads should be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, and the front brakes will need to be replaced more often than the rear brakes.
If your wiper blades are not clearing the window as well as usual, you should replace them as soon as possible. Wiper blades should be regularly replaced every six months to a year; sooner, if you notice an issue.
Follow at a Safe Distance
When the roads are wet, it’s harder to come to a complete stop. Keeping a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you is always a good idea, but when it’s raining, you’ll want to make that space greater. A good way to judge the proper distance is to choose a fixed point on the side of the road — like a sign — and once the car in front of you passes it, start counting. Your car shouldn’t pass the same point any sooner than six seconds after the other car.
Avoid Standing Water
Cars can be swept away in only 12 inches of water. Watch out for standing water, especially in areas without much drainage or near a river or lake. Be aware of the surroundings of the water as well, and if you notice any power lines that have fallen into or near water on the road, don’t drive into it.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
Cruise control tends to be used at higher speeds, which should be avoided when it’s raining. When the water on the roads mixes with oil and grease from cars, it makes a very slippery mixture. If you drive at high speeds over slick roads, it can be very easy to lose control. Cruise control can also cause a bit of delay in a driver’s reaction time.
Hydroplaning is a huge danger in wet conditions, and cruise control makes this worse by maintaining speed and only turning off when brakes are applied. When a vehicle hydroplanes, it loses traction on the road and begins to skid. The best way to handle this is not by hitting the brakes, but to ease up on the acceleration and keep the wheel straight until you feel the car regain traction.
These tips will help keep you and your passengers safe while driving in the rain. Head to Loganville Ford to check out our selection of safe new vehicles equipped to handle any weather that comes your way.
Image via Flickr by Dai Lygad, used under CC BY 2.0
