Driving Conditions

Conquering the roads.

Rain

Whether you’re driving through the neighborhood or on the freeway, driving is no longer just an ordinary task. Everything from cell phones to in-dash DVD players has put driver distractions at an all-time high. That, in combination with natural elements such as rain, is causing concern for the most conscientious of drivers. Although it’s difficult to predict what other drivers are going to do, here are some tips that will at least help you navigate through rainy weather:

  • The first couple hours of rain are typically the most treacherous. While the roads are dry, an invisible film of motor oil forms on the streets. When it mixes with the rain, it creates an extremely slippery surface. It is always wise to drive defensively in the rain, but take it up another level during the early stages of rainfall.
  • It’s a good idea to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance in order to avoid future breakdowns, but maintaining your car will also serve as an advantage to the driver on wet roadways. Low tire pressure and poor tire tread are two of the biggest reasons why vehicles skid out and hydroplane during damp weather. You should check your tire pressure periodically to verify that your tires are still safely inflated. Besides keeping up on your car’s tires, make certain that the windshield wipers are getting the job done. Wipers need to be replaced no less than once a year because the last thing you want is to have poor vision during a thunderstorm.
  • When it starts raining, turn on your headlights to help you see surrounding cars and to let others know they you’re there as well. Do not use your brights though.
  • If you have a schedule to keep and have to make an appointment or get to work, you should head out earlier than normal because you will have to reduce your speed en route to your destination.
  • In dry conditions, we’re often told to leave a distance of two cars between your vehicle and the one in front of you. When the roads are slick this distance should be lengthened to accommodate for the rain, especially in case you need to make an emergency stop.
  • When it rains, water normally settles on the right and left sides of the road due to the slope of the roadway that promotes water runoff. As a result, you should center yourself on the roadway, preferably in the middle lane, to evade puddles and reduce the possibility of hydroplaning.
  • There are two reasons why experts recommend not using cruise control in a rainy setting:
    1. Drivers tend to retract their foot from the gas and brake pedals. If the driver is required to make a sudden stop, the reaction is greatly delayed because of the time it takes to move their foot back to the pedal.
    2. If a vehicle hydroplanes on cruise control, it may accelerate automatically to overcompensate for the water and continue traveling at the previously set rate.