Rain can create hazardous driving conditions. Hydroplaning is a potential danger as it can cause your car to lose contact with the road’s surface. Not only does the rain make roads slick in some locations, it can make it difficult to see especially at night. Oncoming headlights can make seeing even more difficult. By following some simple tips, you can drive more safely in the rain. This will help to decrease the chance of you being involved in an accident and making a road accident claim.
It is important when driving in the rain, that you eliminate all distractions. Given the driving conditions, you need to concentrate even more than normal. Keeping your hands on the steering wheel at all times is ideal. This would mean you should not remove a hand from the wheel to place a call or even mess with the radio. Part of driving safely in the rain is making sure others can see you. Therefore, turning on your headlights is a good idea even if it is daylight. This will help oncoming cars from the other direction as well as behind you see you sooner.
When the road is wet, it makes it more difficult to slow down or come to a complete stop. Therefore, it is a good idea to increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least five car lengths. Another guide could be 1 second of following distance for every 10 miles per hour of speed. In the event, that car starts to brake or tries to stop; you have more room to allow your vehicle to stop. This can help you drive more safely in the rain. It’s also a good idea to keep your speed at the speed limit or slightly below. This will also help allow for stopping time when you brake.”
