Rain is blamed for thousands of accidents yearly. Many of these
accidents are preventable, but are caused by drivers who don't
realize that fair- and foul-weather driving are fundamentally
different. When the road is wet, the film of the water on the
asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that
rain reduces driver perception — it's harder to see through the
rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on
headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know
to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will
help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming
a statistic.
Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your
car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to
be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a
great idea when reaction time is so important.
Turn on your headlights, even when there's a light sprinkle. It
helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other
motorists see you. If your car is equipped with foglights, you may
find it helpful to turn these on, as they throw a little extra light
on the road while making your car easier to see.
If it's raining so hard that you can't see the road or the car in
front of you, pull over and wait it out.
Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only
does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in
front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're
slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so
that other drivers know your intentions.
Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog
up. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air
conditioning is turned on. Most cars' climate control systems will
automatically engage the A/C when the windshield defrost function is
selected.
Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower
pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic
is likely to be moving slower as well.
If you start to hydroplane, don't brake suddenly or turn the wheel,
or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and
steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake,
tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case
you can put your foot down).
Taking a few extra precautions both before and during a drive in
inclement weather, be it rain or snow will help prevent accidents
and, therefore, save lives. So, remember to drive safely and buckle
up!
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Jeff Boyd is the Owner of www.safeautocar.com, A site that specializes in items and information to help make your driving
experience a safe one.
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