Whether you’ve been on the road for decades or are a new driver, driving in the rain is inevitable and can be quite difficult. Here are six handy and useful tips to help you have a safe trip while on the road in the rain:
1. Turn your headlights on. Headlights will allow other motorists to see you better, but will also let you see the road better than without. However, don’t use rear fog lights in the rain because motorists behind you may think you are braking when you use them.
2. Go slow. You should drive slow in the rain because you don’t want your tires to rise up on a water film, also known “hydroplaning.” Your vehicle can hydroplane on as little as 1/12 inch of water, and it might be good for you to know that hydroplaning begins at 35 miles per hour (mph). The speed limit sign serves as just that, a speed limit sign, not a sign that says you should be driving any faster than the number posted on it.
3. Know where the defroster button is, a small button in your climate control section with three arrows pointing up, near where your air conditioning and heat controls are located. It is common for windshields, as well as your back window, to fog in wet weather, and as a result you want to be sure you can see your way to make it to your destination safely. A defroster evaporates any moisture that has accumulated on the glass.
4. Know what to do if a skid happens. Skidding can be scary for drivers, as they feel they have lost control of their vehicle. However, that is not the case; there are ways out of it. The trick is that you keep your eyes on the road in front of you on where you want to go, and keep steering in the direction that you want your car to go. You also should refrain from slamming on your brakes because that will throw off your vehicle’s balance and make it difficult to have control over.
5. Don’t use cruise control. Many present-day vehicles have cruise control. Cruise control works fine in dry conditions, but in wet weather you should not use it. This is because your chances of losing control of your car will increase. You are unable to lift the accelerator to reduce the vehicle’s speed if you’re worried about losing traction while you have your cruise control on, so it is better to drive without it in wet weather.
6. When you have a few free minutes, make sure that your windshield wiper inserts do not leave streaks behind. You want to make sure that your windshield wipers can clear the glass in one swipe, so if they are lacking in either one of these abilities you should think about getting them replaced. The typical driver gets new wipers about every six months to one year.
Article Source: Premier Cape Cod
