Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain
It's beginning to look and feel a lot like RAINY season! According to the U.S department of transportation, there are nearly 1.2 million auto accidents each year related to weather. Most of these accidents occur during rainfall.
Here are some tips for driving in the rain:
1. Slow Down! Allow more travel time while it is raining. Traffic will be slower, so don't be in a rush-it is not worth it. Speeding while driving in the rain will cause hydroplaning.
2. Turn on your defroster: Turning on your defroster will prevent the windshield from fogging up, and give you better visibility.
3. Give extra room: Give yourself a safe amount of space between vehicles. The extra room will give you a better reaction time.
4. Avoid hard braking: Slow down, and give plenty of room so last-minute braking is avoided.
5. Stay calm if you are hydroplaning: If your car starts to hydroplane, gently take your foot off the gas. Avoid steering and moving the wheel. Slow down and stay calm until your vehicle makes contact with the road.
6. Don't use cruise control: Cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate when hydroplaning and reduces drivers' attentiveness.
7. Wipers: Check wipers before the rainy season begins.
8. Two hands on the Wheel: Both hands on the wheel while driving in wet conditions. Avoid any and all distractions; cell phone, eating, etc.
9. Drive in the tracks of another vehicle: This allows the vehicle ahead of you to displace any standing water.
10. Pull Over: If the conditions are extreme and you can not see, pull over. Wait for the weather to calm down.
Be safe!