It can be beautiful to look at rain, but it can be dangerous for cars. When roads are wet, tires lose their grip, which makes cars more likely to skid. Also, poor vision can make things unsafe. Knowing how to drive your vehicle can mean the difference between a smooth ride and an accident. This article will guide you on how to drive a car while raining, whether day or night, on the highway or in the city.
Prepping Your Car for Rainy Weather
It is essential to ensure your car is ready for wet roads before starting it. Here’s how:
1. Check Your Tires
- Tread depth: To keep your grip on wet roads, ensure your tires have at least 1.6 mm of tread.
- Tire pressure: When tire pressure is too low or too high, it can make it harder to control the vehicle, especially in wet conditions.
2. Windshield Wipers
- Look for any signs of wear on your wipers. You should get new ones if they leave lines on the glass or need to clear it better.
- Use the correct wiper setting to ensure visibility without wearing out the motor.
3. Lights and Signals
- Headlights: Even in daylight, you should always have your headlights on to make your car visible.
- Signal lights: Make sure your turn signals and brake lights work so other cars can see what you’re doing.
4. Defrosters and Ventilation
Use the defroster to keep your car’s windows from fogging up. A quick tip is to turn on the AC to help dry the air inside the vehicle.
Driving Techniques for Wet Conditions
Now that you have your car ready and know the risks, here are some essential things you can do to stay safe while driving in the rain:
1. Gentle Acceleration and Braking
Do not make any rapid moves. If the road is wet, you can control your car by speeding slowly and braking gradually.
2. Turn on Headlights
Even if it’s just a little raining, make sure your headlights are on. They not only help you see better, but they also make your car visible to others.
3. Avoid Standing Water
When your tires lose touch with the road, this is called hydroplaning. If you encounter a big puddle, slow down and carefully drive through it. Do not go fast through still water.
4. Handling Curves
Before going around a bend or turn, slow down. When the roads are wet, your car can’t grip them, making sharp turns more dangerous.
Driving in Heavy Rain on Highways
Driving on the highways in heavy rain can be challenging. Because of the fast speeds and frequent lane changes, you need to pay extra attention to stay safe:
1. Reduce Your Speed
When it rains on the highway, you should always slow down. The faster you go, the more likely your car will skid.
2. Keep a safe distance behind the vehicle
Increase the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. When it rains, there should be a 5–6 seconds gap instead of just 3 seconds when it’s dry.
3. Watch Out for Big Vehicles
Buses and trucks can spray water on you, making it harder to see. If possible, drive away from or not too close to them.
4. Stay in the middle lane
The outer lines of roads tend to receive more water, which makes hydroplaning more likely. When possible, stay in the middle lanes.
Driving in Heavy Rain at Night
Driving at night when it rains is even more dangerous because low vision and wet conditions make it hard to find your way. To stay safe, do these things:
1. Increase Your Visibility
Make sure your headlights are clean and properly adjusted. Instead of high beams, use low beams so that light from the rain doesn’t blind you due to reflections.
2. Reduce Glare
On wet roads, the headlights of oncoming cars can be very distracting. Keep your eyes slightly to the right to avoid direct headlight beams to reduce it.
3. Use Road Reflectors
Lane markings and road lights will help you find your way at night and in the rain. These visual cues can help you stay in your lane even when it’s hard to see.
4. Drive Slower than Usual
Slow down even more than you would in the daytime when it rains. You need more time to respond to possible dangers when the roads are wet or dark.
Dangers of Driving in the Rain
When it rains, there are some problems that cars might not have to deal with when it’s dry. These are the most common risks:
- Reduced visibility: Heavy rain, windshield wipers, and fogged windows can make it hard to see.
- Slippery roads: Water reduces tire traction, which makes it more likely that they will hydroplane or skid.
- Longer stopping distance: When the road is wet, it takes longer to stop, which could cause rear-end accidents.
- Driver anxiety: Driving in the rain can make people tense or sidetracked, affecting how well they make decisions.
Handling Emergencies in the Rain
Even if you take all the proper steps, you may still face situations like hydroplaning or skidding. How to deal with them:
1. What to Do If You Hydroplane
- Don’t slam on the brakes, and stay calm.
- Take your foot off the accelerator slowly and keep going straight until you get your grip back.
2. Managing Skids
- If your car starts to skid, steer in the direction you want to go.
- Do not brake hard. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and let the car slow down.
3. Stopping in emergencies
Use the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or threshold braking on your car to keep the wheels from locking. This helps you stay in control and stop faster when it’s wet.
Conclusion: Driving in Rain Safety Message
We talked about how to drive a car while raining. When it rains, any drive can become dangerous. There are, however, ways to lower significantly those risks: getting your car ready, knowing the risks, and driving safely. Staying alert and careful will keep you and everyone safe, whether on the highway, driving at night, or in a heavy rainstorm.
Regardless of the conditions, our goal at Best Driving School is to make you a competent and safe driver. Our skilled instructors provide hands-on training for drivers of all experience levels, ensuring you’re ready to drive in the rain or in other hard situations. Our competitive packages, flexible schedules, and personalized sessions ensure that you get the most out of your learning journey. Ready to start? Visit our homepage at Best Driving School to explore our services and find the perfect package for you. Drive smarter, drive safer with Best Driving School!
