Tips for Driving in the Rain

As a new or aspiring driver, one of the most important things you can do is prepare yourself for the possibility of driving in bad weather. Most new drivers don’t realize that bad weather is a primary cause of vehicle accidents in the United States. According to the Department of Transportation, of the approximate 5,891,000 vehicle crashes each year, 1,235,000 (~21%) are weather-related—and of that, 70% are caused by rain or wet roads.

This is why it’s imperative to understand the things you can do before and during a journey to make driving in poor weather as safe as possible.

How Can You Make Driving in the Rain Safer?

Although driving in the rain will never really be safe, there are some things you can do to make it a lot safer. The more effort you put in, the safer it’ll be, so be sure to implement all of the following tips as soon as it begins to rain:

1. Turn on Your Lights

This tip cannot be stressed enough. The moment you notice the slightest hint of rain—or even if it’s looking a little too overcast for your liking—flick those lights on. Aside from making it easier to see where you’re going, it increases your visibility to other cars significantly. You’d be surprised how easy it is to not notice an unlit car if it’s surrounded by rain and other cars with their lights on.

Now, don’t go overboard and turn on your high beams, as this could actually endanger you and other drivers. Your low beams are enough, but their importance is significant.

2. Drive Slower

Really, it’s that simple. You don’t have to drive the maximum speed limit just because the law allows it. If it’s raining heavily enough that you can barely see the 55mph—the acceptable speed in perfect weather conditions—signs on the side of the road, then you shouldn’t be driving above 50. The faster you’re going, the more force it takes to slow down, and the more likely it is that you’ll skid in an emergency—especially if the roads are slicked up from the water.

3. Increase Your Following Distance

Whether it’s a legal requirement or not in the area that you’re driving, you absolutely should increase your following distance to at least 5 seconds behind the car in front of you. Even if you have blackbelt reflexes, it’s basically impossible to predict exactly how your wheels might respond on every road surface at every speed and under all amounts of rain. One extra second can mean the difference between a close call and an ambulance, so why take the chance?

Safety Precautions You Can Take Before Driving in the Rain

Aside from the things you can do during a rainstorm, there are also things you should be doing beforehand to make sure that you and your car are suitable and ready for the danger.

1. Check Your Tires

In case you didn’t already know this, there’s a reason car tires have those grooves—called tire tread—all over them: friction and traction. It’s the same reason your fingers get pruned up when you spend lots of time in water: so that you have better grip in wet and slippery conditions.

Maintaining proper tread on your tires is crucial for them to be able to grip the roads properly for better turning, accelerating, and braking. Letting your tread wear down or become nonexistent isn’t only dangerous, it’s also illegal as your car will no longer be deemed roadworthy.

2. Check Your Wipers

Another crucial step in ensuring your car is suitable for bad weather is checking your wipers, not just the mechanical turning, but that your wiper blades actually do a good job of clearing the water from your windshield.

If you spend a few months without rainfall, you might not even realize that your wipers aren’t working properly anymore. If you discover this during an unexpected rainstorm, then it’s already too late.

3. Plan Long Trips Accordingly

It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to plan all their driving expeditions in sunny weather, especially when the rainy season hits. However, if you know you need to make an extended driving trip of an hour or longer, it could be beneficial to check the weather forecast for the day and make sure you aren’t going to be doing it during an intense thunderstorm. Shifting your trip a few hours earlier or later could save you a world of trouble.

Other Things to Check

• Blinkers
• Headlights
• Brakelights
• Mudflaps
• Mirrors
• Seatbelts

The Best Way to Prepare for Bad Weather

All of the tips above won’t help you if you’re not confident that you know what you’re doing behind the wheel of a car, which is where we can help! Call in to book professional driving lessons or schedule a defensive driving course in your area.