Driving in the rain can be a bit intimidating, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. Since Texas summers tend to be sunny and warm, you may not have had many opportunities to drive when it’s wet out over the past several months.
Even if you feel confident driving in the rain, it never hurts to have some refreshers that you may have forgotten about.
Here are five safety tips for driving in the rain:
#1 - Make sure the equipment on your car is ready for the rain.
Be sure to check the following equipment before rain is expected to make sure it is in good condition and working properly:
- Windshield wipers
- Adequate tire tread
- Brakes
- Headlights
- Fog lights (if applicable)
#2 - Drive slow.
You may think you don’t have to adjust your driving much when it’s wet outside.
Think again.
You are at a much higher risk of sliding when it’s raining, so it’s a good idea to slow down when there’s water on the pavement. Driving slower also helps you avoid hydroplaning, which occurs when water causes your vehicle’s tires to lose contact with the surface of the road. Essentially, you no longer have any traction.
#3 - Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle and those around you.
As mentioned above, your risk of sliding in the rain is much higher than it is when it’s dry out. Be sure to maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and all others nearby so you have space if you do lose control of your vehicle for some reason.
#4 - Keep your eyes peeled for standing water.
Standing water, especially on highways and other roads with high speed limits, can easily cause your vehicle to lose control. The standing water will pull your front wheels in one direction or another, and you may not be able to correct the action quickly enough to avoid a collision.
#5 - Avoid heavy braking.
Again, it’s very easy for your tires to slide on the pavement when it’s wet out. When you slam on the brakes, it’s quite possible that your car will be unable to stop in time if you don’t leave enough distance between your car and the one ahead of you.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, we’re here to help.
Call our firm today at (512) 400-3278 or fill out the online contact form to learn more about your options.
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