April is known for its showers and while we mostly love a good rainy day, wet roads can create dangerous driving conditions. Reduced visibility and slippery surfaces can make even the most experienced drivers feel nervous behind the wheel, so it pays to be careful.
Fortunately, there are useful tips that can help you confidently navigate wet roads and changing weather conditions. Buckle up and don’t forget your umbrella — here’s what you need to know.
Slow and Steady
The key to driving safely in rainy weather is maintaining control of your vehicle. The best way to do that is to keep your driving slow and steady.
Slowing down gives you more time to react to any unexpected changes in the road conditions, such as standing water, blowing debris, or slick areas. It also helps you maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, which is important in case they brake suddenly or have problems while driving.
Finally, avoid sudden movements such as hard braking, accelerating, or turning. Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to lose traction and skid, making it difficult to maintain control.
Maintain Visibility
Rain can significantly reduce your visibility, making it difficult to see the road ahead, other vehicles, and pedestrians. To ensure you can see well and be seen by others, it’s important to use your wipers and headlights while it’s raining.
Your windshield wipers are vital, whether you’re driving in the rain or getting passed by a large vehicle that throws water onto your car. Ensure your wipers are in good condition and keep your windshield washer fluid topped off as well.
Headlights are essential in rainy weather, even during the day. They help other drivers see you and make it easier to see the road ahead as you drive. You can’t afford to compromise visibility in challenging weather!
Take Safety Precautions
The final tip for driving safely in rainy weather is to take precautions. Take a walk around the car and look for low tires, problems with wipers, or other concerns. Better yet, before it rains take your car to your dealership or mechanic to check if the tires need to be rotated or replaced to provide better traction and grip. This helps reduce the risk of hydroplaning, which can occur when the tread depth of your tires is too shallow to provide adequate grip on wet surfaces. You’ll also want to ensure there’s safety gear in the car in case you have to pull over, such as a blanket or first aid kit.
Finally, think about how you’ll get help if something happens to the car. Having the appropriate auto insurance is essential, and you’ll want to make sure you add roadside assistance to your plan. If your insurer doesn’t have that available or your current provider seems too expensive, consider getting a quote from a highly-rated company to get the same, or better, coverage for a reduced cost. For example, Freeway Car Insurance has great reviews and a reputation for affordable coverage, so that could be a great place to start.
When you take safety steps and precautions upfront, you’ll have more peace of mind as you travel!
Drive Safely in Any Weather
April is known for its showers and weather that changes frequently throughout the day, so don’t take any unnecessary risks. Instead, prepare and adapt your driving habits to changing weather conditions.
Arriving safely is more important than arriving quickly, so take it slow and stay safe!
