Wet Driving Conditions
April showers bring May flowers, but wet roads contribute to over 1 million traffic crashes each year. So as we enter into the Spring rainy season, it's a good idea to follow these tips the next time you're driving in the rain.
Before You Drive
Safety starts well before you hit the road. Your goal is to see and be seen. Check your windshield wipers and replace them if they leave streaks or don't clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all of your lights (headlights, taillights, and turn signals) are functioning properly.
Avoid Cruise Control
Most cars nowadays have cruise control features, which work well in dry conditions, however, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase when used in wet conditions. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car's speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged.
When driving in wet-weather conditions, it is important to concentrate fully on every aspect of driving. Avoiding cruise control will allow the driver more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situation, thus maximizing your safety.
Slow Down and Leave Room
Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car's chance of hydroplaning when the tires rise up on a film of water. With a little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway.
To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you. Also, it's important for motorists to allow ample stopping distance between cars by increasing the following distance of the vehicle in front of them and beginning to slow down to stop for intersections, turns, and other traffic early.
