Tips for Driving Safely on Wet Fall Roads

The Western Washington area is well known for being rainy and wet most of the year. So, you’d think that we’d be experts at properly navigating the wet fall roads when it rains. But, unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Prepare Your Car

Make sure your tires are not worn out. Braking suddenly on a wet road can take 50% more stopping time! It’s a good idea to have your vehicle checked for reliability by a Certified Technician to make sure you won’t end up on the side of the road with cars careening by in the fog.

Eliminate Distractions

With all the distractions from cellphones, children, food, and the radio, it’s no wonder that accidents are more frequent in rainy weather. Windshields fog up, vehicles kick puddles onto your windshield, and there’s always someone who needs to talk or text you while you’re behind the wheel.

Resist all the distractions and focus on the road ahead. The call, the child, and the radio can wait. If you must take the call, move over to the shoulder or off the road completely before you answer. Better yet, call them back when you’re safely at your destination. It can wait.

See Clearly

Keep your windshield clean (on the inside, too!) and replace worn wipers if they aren’t working well. When it’s raining a good practice is to turn on your air conditioning and defroster, and crack a window open.

Mud and insects can reduce the brightness of your headlights. Before venturing out, take glass cleaner and a clean cloth and clean off your headlights. Use your low beams and fog lights in the fog to see more clearly.

Don’t Drive in Poor Visibility

Sometimes it’s just too rainy and dark to see. If you are having problems seeing other vehicles or the edge of the road, it’s better to pull off the road and wait for the rain to let up. In dark, rainy weather, even being on the shoulder is dangerous due to the conditions, so it’s safer to take a freeway exit or park in a protected location such as a parking lot.

Avoid Cruise Control

While cruise control is a wonderful convenience, when the road is slick with rain it can cause your car to hydroplane and you can lose control. Hydroplaning is when your tires are not actually touching the pavement, but instead riding on a thin surface of water and oil above the road.

You should let off the gas and let the car slow down until you’re past the standing water. With cruise control on it continues to drive the wheels and accentuates the loss of control.

Steering and Braking

In adverse weather, it’s better to steer around an obstacle if at all possible, rather than hit the brakes. If you do find yourself beginning to skid, make sure to turn in the direction of the skid to allow the car to straighten back. For example, if the rear of your car begins to swing to the left, turning your steering wheel to the LEFT will stop the skid.

Remember that sudden braking can lead to loss of control and skids. Leave a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you because if you need to slow down quickly, you’ll need more room to come to a stop. If you rear-end a car in front of you it will always be your fault!

Need to update your auto insurance?
Call us at 888-867-2866 or https://sav-on.com