Driving in the rain is a pain because it can take longer to get to where you’re going, not to mention it can increase the dangers of driving. Even so, some people don’t mind driving in the rain. Whether you’re one of those people or not, you have to be cautious of other drivers and conditions and incorporate proper safety techniques during these wet times. Here are seven tips for driving in the rain.
Take Your Time
If you know rain is going to be in the forecast, then you should leave early and plan for it to take longer to get to work, school, the store, etc. Being in a hurry and driving fast isn’t safe in the rain, especially since there are other drivers on the road and not everyone’s visibility is the same. Leave early and take your time.
Double-Check Your Car
Double-checking your car includes checking the headlights, taillights, tires, and windshield wipers. Bad windshield wipers can leave streaks on your windshield and not properly wipe away rain, affecting your visibility. Bald tires reduce traction on wet roads which could cause you to slide or lose control.
Turn Your Headlights On
This might sound obvious, but you should have your headlights on while driving in the rain. You might be able to see clearly without your headlights on, but it’s best practice (and the law, depending on where you live) to keep them on in rain and snow and also helps other cars see your vehicle.
If your headlights don’t work as well as they used to, then we encourage drivers to receive headlight restoration as this can restore your headlights and make them look as good as new. Restoration can clear up that cloudy look which can decrease power and visibility. You should take every precaution when it comes to driving in the rain (or snow), and this is an important step, to say the least.
Maintain Safe Distance
Since visibility isn’t as good during rainy weather, it’s important to maintain a safe distance between you and other vehicles. Your car might be ready for rainy conditions, but the car in front of you is a different story and the driver’s visibility could be affected, causing him or her to stop abruptly or not see a car in front of his or her vehicle.
Don’t Brake Fast
It can take longer for cars to stop when the roads are wet, not to mention they could slide. That’s why it’s important to not brake too fast in the rain. You might stop in time, but you can’t control the vehicles behind you.
Be Careful Around Standing Water
Speaking of sliding in the rain, be careful around standing water as it can cause you to hydroplane, which is when your car slides uncontrollably due to water on the road. It’s like sliding when there’s ice or snow, only with water and especially when large puddles are present.
Ventilate Your Car
Ventilating your car might sound like another obvious step, but when you’re focusing on the road, your visibility is impaired, and you have someplace to be, it can go under the radar. Of course, if you don’t properly ventilate your car, your windows could fog up, creating another visibility problem that’s harder to handle when you’re juggling everything else. Above all else, we hope these tips help you during rainy conditions.
Driving in the rain can cause problems, but there are measures people can take to make it a little easier. Accidents do happen, making quality Car Insurance invaluable. We encourage drivers to compare car insurance quotes with iSelect to ensure they’re covered in every scenario.
