Best practices to keep in mind while driving in the rain
When you're sitting on your covered deck during a rainfall, perhaps sipping a warm coffee and enjoying the smell and sound of the rain, it's nice. But when you're driving in rain, it's a completely different story.
- Turn on your lights. This will make it easier for you to see and easier for others to see you
- Rain reduces your visibility. The harder the rain gets, the slower you should go… even if you are relying on your wipers to keep your windows clear. Don't be afraid to pull over when the rain falls so hard that you can't see in front of you. (Just make sure that you pull far enough over so that other vehicles don't hit you because they can't see you)
- Rain also reduces the visibility of other drivers nearby. Therefore, you should signal your intentions (with your brake lights and signal lights) farther in advance so that those drivers, who might not be as cautious as you, can make the appropriate adjustments
- Don't put your trust in scientifically designed tires. Rain can make the road slippery, which increases your stopping distance. Slow down! Remember that different road surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel) respond differently to the rain. Concrete surfaces can become slippery faster than asphalt, for example
- Additionally, rain can puddle and cause a phenomenon known as hydroplaning, where your vehicle rides across the top of the water rather than gripping the asphalt beneath
- Even if your vehicle doesn't hydroplane, avoid large puddles anyway because the water can enter the engine or brakes and reduce their efficiency and even damage your vehicle!
- As the temperature cools off outside of your vehicle, the inside remains warmer and more humid. Your windows can fog up slowly, reducing your visibility further. As soon as you see it start to rain, turn your defrost on to reduce the humidity inside the vehicle
- No one wants to get stuck walking in the rain so when it starts to rain, people run and they become less vigilant about the dangers around them. Watch out for pedestrians who might be running to their vehicle car to get out of the rain
- If the weather can get cold quickly – like in the fall or spring – be careful that the rain doesn't turn to ice or snow, causing even further dangers
When it comes to rain, it is never wrong to slow down slightly.
If you do get into a collision, make sure you pull safely off the road so that you don't make the problem worse because others can't see you. Then bring your vehicle to Boyd Autobody & Glass because rain or shine, we're here to fix your vehicle and get you back on your way.
