How to Drive Safely in Heavy Rain

May 5, 2016

It doesn’t matter if you been driving for 30 years or 30 minutes, you will experience extreme and unexpected weather while behind the wheel. This means that your visibility will be lower, the friction between your wheels and the road will be lessened and it will cause travel delays. 22% or 1.3 billion motor vehicle accidents are related to poor weather conditions. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck in the house with the slightest bit of precipitation, it just means you need to know how to drive in it.

Living in the Northeast, as we do, our biggest concerns are ice and snow. And while they are not a concern at this point in the year, don’t forget about the sudden downpours accompanied with lightning, thunder and even hail. So, do you know how to properly prepare for and drive in a freak thunderstorm?

There are three tried and true ways to ensure your safety while on the road with heavy rain. First, no matter how convenient, avoid using cruise control. The traction between your tires and the road is limited when they’re wet due to rising oil and grease. When your tire’s treads can’t reach the ground through the water your vehicle will begin hydroplaning. If this should ever happen lower your speed, but do not slam on the brakes, grasp the steering wheel and steer in the direction of the skid.

Second, and what might be most obvious, is to leave room between you and the other vehicles in front of you. Usually, a distance of three car lengths is acceptable. This allows you to have time to react to any sudden stops as well as slow your vehicle down at a safe rate.

Lastly, before you leave your home on a humid day when thunderstorms are possible, take note of the low roads where you’ll be traveling. See if there is an alternate route to take that won’t delay you too much. Low roads will increase the amount of pooling water and make it harder for your tire tread to reach the road, resulting in hydroplaning.

Of course, if you have any questions about your cruise control, type of brakes, or best driving practices, stop into Destination Nissan. We will be happy to show you how to drive safely in any situation.

“How to React to Extreme Weather When Driving.” Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2016.