Generally, driving in the rain isn’t advisable because it poses a lot of risks to you and your vehicle. There are some important factors to consider if you ever get caught driving during a heavy downpour. While adhering to speed regulations can help you when the roads get wet and slippery, mishaps can still occur to even the most cautious driver.
Here are some tips to consider when you have to drive in rainy weather:
- Drive Slowly and Carefully
Slow driving is a must if you want to minimize the risks of accidents because rain causes your tires to lose traction. The water mixes with dust on the asphalt, making it difficult for your tires to stay on the road. During heavy rainfall, puddles may form, which can lead to skidding, but maintaining a low-speed limit can prevent your car from spinning or veering off the road.
- Keep Your Hands Low as You Drive
Usually, new drivers are taught to keep their hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions on the steering wheel. Recently, road safety bodies have recommended maintaining the 9 and 3 o’clock positions for safe and efficient driving. Lowering your hands will prevent blocking the airbag if it deploys during a collision.
- Do Not Cross Over
Crossing over refers to when you place a hand over the other to turn the wheel. This is the common method used by drivers to turn the steering wheel but can be risky on a wet road. Rather, you can push up on one side of the wheel and pull down on the other to avoid losing control on wet roads. It can be helpful to keep both hands on the wheel in order to maintain control.
- Avoid Distractions
There are a million and one ways to get distracted when driving in today’s world. If you are behind the wheel when it starts to rain, do not make the mistake of losing your focus on the road. Even hands-free devices can be enough distraction to put you in harm’s way when driving through the rain.
Reports have shown that teenagers make up a significant number of road accidents due to social media distractions. Make sure that your teenager understands the risks associated with using their mobile devices while driving, especially in bad weather.
- Keep Your Distance
Drivers tend to lose control easily and unexpectedly on slippery roads, so it is best to keep a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. New drivers are advised to keep a distance of at least 10 mph between vehicles and to follow the three-second rule. You must maintain distance between your car and any object in front of you and count how long it takes to reach it. If it takes less than three seconds to get to it, it means you’re too close and should stay even farther. If your sense of timing makes that more difficult, it might be easier to visualize it as three car lengths. You’ll want to keep approximately three car lengths between you and the next vehicle in front of you.
- Remember the Basics
Today’s vehicles are far more developed than the old models, so they are easy to navigate and have special safety features. These features include anti-skid controls, automated parallel parking, and sensors that stop a car before a collision. It is good to know the functions of these installations and to understand them. New and young drivers must be trained to handle different driving situations, regardless of the equipment on their car.
These are a few tips that you can follow to drive safely in the rain. If you have any questions about comprehensive or liability insurance protection for drivers, contact the team at Gee-Schussler Insurance Agency. We serve Orland Park and surrounding cities in Illinois.
