Driving Tips In Heavy Rain – The Dos & Don’ts!

As the rain pelts down on your windshield and the wind whips through your hair, it’s easy to get carried away and put safety on the back burner. But remember, even though the roads may be slick, you still have to act responsibly if you want to make it to your destination unscathed. Here are a few quick dos and don’ts for safely driving in heavy rain.

The Dos of Driving in Heavy Rain:

• The driving conditions may be less than ideal when it’s raining. Therefore, you need to take things slow. Sudden braking, acceleration, or turns can cause you to lose control of your vehicle on wet roads. So, take your time with accelerating and coming to a stop.

• Maintaining a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you is also vital. It will allow you more time to react if they were to brake suddenly. Generally, a distance of 4-seconds is an excellent rule to follow. But in heavy rain, you may want to increase that to a larger margin.

• Keeping your headlights while driving in heavy rain is as crucial as driving slowly. You want to make sure you can see as much of the road ahead as possible, but you also want other drivers to be able to see you. When it’s pouring, the visibility decreases significantly, and having your headlights on will help offset that. Please keep the lights on during the day too.

• Windshield wipers are a must when driving in the rain. But if you find that your wipers are leaving streaks on your windshield, it’s time to replace them. Newer wiper blades do a much better job at clearing water and debris. So, it’s worth upgrading them every few months – especially if you live in an area with much rain.

The Don’ts of Driving in Heavy Rain:

• Wet roads, pooling water, and reduced visibility contribute to poor driving conditions. And while it’s essential to be extra cautious when driving in the rain, there are some things you should avoid doing altogether.

• For starters, don’t use your cruise control. It may seem counterintuitive – isn’t cruise control supposed to make driving easier? But on wet roads, cruise control can make it harder to maintain control of your car.

• If you start to hydroplane, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want. Don’t brake suddenly, as this could cause you to lose control of your car. Instead, gently pump your brakes to slow down gradually.

• And finally, don’t drive through large puddles of water if you can help it. While it may tempt you to power through, you never know how deep the water is – and if it’s deeper than you think, you could end up stranded. Play it safe and go around if you can.

Conclusion:

Wet roads and heavy rain can do more than slow you down – they can be dangerous. Following the above-mentioned tips can help ensure that you and your passengers stay safe even during unfavorable driving conditions.

And if you want to ensure your brake pads are in good condition, the tires have enough tread, or the wiper blades are correctly replaced, schedule an appointment with us at Cutter Mazda Waipahu, serving Waipahu, HI.

We’d happily help you prepare your car for any weather!

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