Tips for Safe Driving in the Rain

Often people find themselves not wanting to leave the house when it's raining. The cozy, safe home environment compared to getting soaked while walking to a destination. The in-between option is driving, providing a safe, dry climate, but this option holds risks as most extreme weather does.

Rain creates less traction for cars with slick roadways, especially if it is the season's first rain. The build-up of oil, grease, and dirt accumulated throughout the dry months is broken loose with rain. When rained on, this extra layer of grime on the road creates very slick roadways. The first rain causes unexpected slippery streets that are dangerous for drivers.

There are other hazards that rain presents to drivers beyond just the season's first rain. Even after that build-up layer of oil and grease has been broken down, rain decreases the traction that tires can get on the roadway. In addition, puddles that form on the roads can cause hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when water gets in front of your tire more quickly than your car's weight can push it out of the way. Hydroplaning causes your vehicle to slide uncontrollably on wet roadways and is a severe hazard that rain presents.

Ensuring your car is properly maintained is a critical factor in being prepared for the slick roadways that rain creates. The essential parts of your vehicle that play a vital role in handling rainy conditions well include good tire tread, good brakes, quality windshield wipers, and high-performing headlights. When entering the rainy season, it is vital to ensure that your tires and their tread are prepared for the wet conditions. Windshield wipers play a significant role in rainy conditions. Windshield wipers generally need to be replaced every six to twelve months. This straightforward replacement can be done at home and drastically improve your safety and visibility while driving in the rain. Headlights are a very commonly used part of the electrical component within a car. Whether it is your daytime running lights or high beams, you will know if this essential component is malfunctioning as it will cause a reduction in visibility. If appropriately maintained, all of these things will provide the right tools for your vehicle to handle wet conditions as best it can. There are some tips and tricks to know to ensure the safest drive for you and your car as the driver.

Some Tips to Keep you Safe While Driving in Rain:

If possible, wait until the Weather Clears

This is not always an option, but if it is possible, waiting for the rain to ease up will ensure a safer driving experience.

Make sure that your Car is Prepared

Above are some of the simple maintenance steps that should be taken to ensure that your vehicle will handle wet conditions best. In addition, tire tread, windshield wipers, and other basic maintenance should be done, and Wrench is here to help with any care you may need.

Slow Down

Slowing down is always essential when facing any extreme weather conditions. However, the slick roadways that rain presents should be approached with caution. Making a conscious effort to slow down is one of the best steps, especially with slippery streets with puddles on the roadway.

Turn on your Headlights

There is reduced visibility for you and drivers around you with heavy rain. Turning on your headlights will enable you to see better and aid other motorists in seeing you more easily. In addition, your headlights will allow drivers to in front of you and behind you to see your car more clearly, even in heavy rain.

Use your Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are designed to wick away excess water to avoid it impairing your vision while driving. Most windshield wipers have different speeds to handle a drizzle to a heavy downpour. Using the correct setting is essential so that there is not an extensive build-up of water on your windshield that affects your vision of the road and other vehicles.

Avoid Heavy Braking

Rain produces an environment where your vehicle will have less grip on the roadway. Because of the slick streets that are produced with showers, heavy breaking creates a severe hazard to you and other drivers. In the rain, you need almost twice the distance to stop your vehicle compared to expected.

Maintain Distance Between your Vehicle and Others

Because of the reduced traction and altered visibility, it is essential always to maintain extra distance between you and the car in front of you. With heavy braking being more complex and your tires having less grip on the road, stopping within rain takes longer. In addition, the extra distance will allow you to safely stop if there is a hazard ahead, helping you prevent an accident.

Avoid Sharp Turns

If possible, avoiding sharp turns will help you avoid dangerous conditions and the risk of losing control. With the reduced traction that accompanies rain, sharp turns, especially at higher speeds, increase your sliding risk. If sharp turns are unavoidable on your commute, be sure to approach the turns at a slower rate than usual for the safest drive.

Avoid Puddles

Stagnant water on the roadway poses a severe threat to drivers. Large puddles on the road put you at risk of hydroplaning and losing control of the car. When you hydroplane, the water under your car is forming in front of your tire more quickly than the weight of your vehicle can disperse it. This results in your tire is separated from the roadway by a layer of water. When this happens, you lose control of your vehicle's steering, brakes, and power control. To avoid this, being vigilant while driving in the rain is essential as it allows you to notice large puddles and avoid them without erratic driving techniques.

Use your Air-Conditioner

Foggy windows and rain often go hand in hand. This is because, generally, the outside temperature and the temperature inside of your vehicle do not match up, causing an accumulation of condensation on your windshield and windows. This fog can further reduce your visibility, thus creating an additional hazard. Your air conditioner can be a quick and easy solution to this problem. The cold air from the air conditioning will cool the interior temperature of your vehicle and reduce the condensation in the process.

All of these things are straightforward steps that majorly improve your safety while driving in the rain. However, an essential step is to acknowledge changing weather and road conditions to allow yourself to adapt to the new situation. The proper maintenance for your car is always a necessary tool for any driving situation, and Wrench is ready to help you prepare for whatever the season throws at you! Get started today with Wrench by booking an appointment with the button at the top or bottom of this page.