Driving in the rain is dangerous and worrying, so it is extremely important to take wet conditions seriously when traveling. There are many things you can do to make driving in the rain safer, including being prepared with a car that runs smoothly and making sure you have perfect visibility. However, the most important thing is to adopt a driving style that conforms to the weather conditions and change your habits to avoid loss of grip, spin or being involved in a collision.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping the Car Clean and in Top Condition
Step 1. Keep the windows clean and clear
Seeing well is a fundamental factor to always drive safely, especially when visibility is already reduced by the rain. To improve it you can:
- Regularly clean the inside and outside of the windows to remove dust, dirt, fingerprints, traces of smoke, scale and other residues.
- If the windows are fogged up, turn on the air conditioning or fan and point the vents in the direction of the windows. Activate the rear window defroster and, if necessary, open the windows to increase air circulation.
Step 2. Maintain the lights
If you've never done this, take the car to the mechanic to have the low beam adjusted; by doing so, you can be sure that the light is pointed in the correct direction to ensure excellent visibility without dazzling other drivers.
- Check them regularly to make sure none of the lights have burned out, and immediately replace any non-working bulbs, including low beam, turn signal, brake light, rear and front sidelights.
- Clean the plastic of the headlights to prevent dust and dirt from reducing their effectiveness.
Step 3. Inspect the tires
The tread is the element that allows the tires to adhere to the asphalt, which is why it is dangerous to drive on smooth tires; without the right grip, you can easily skid, spin and aquaplan when the road is wet.
New tires generally have an 8 mm thick tread and should be replaced when this value reaches 3 mm; tires with a thickness of 1.5 cm or less are dangerous and should not be used
Part 2 of 3: Drive Appropriately Based on Weather Conditions
Step 1. Activate the wiper blades
You can improve visibility not only by keeping the windshield clean, but also by making sure that the wiper blades are always in perfect condition; remember to always use the right wiper fluid.
- Replace the grommets every year to prevent them from cracking, cracking, or not adhering well to the glass just when you need them most.
- Try using a hydrophobic wiper fluid that causes rainwater to collect in drops and slide off the windshield quickly, instead of blocking your view.
Step 2. Slow down
When the weather conditions are bad or unfavorable to driving, the first reaction should always be to reduce the speed. Wet asphalt causes loss of grip; slowing down, you run a lower risk of skidding and you have more time to react to emergencies.
- When the road is wet, grip is reduced by about a third, so you should lower your speed by a third accordingly.
- Even a small amount of water makes the asphalt more slippery, because the rain mixed with the oils found on the road creates a slimy layer.
- Driving too fast in these conditions can trigger aquaplaning, which means that the tires lose contact with the road. When the car is in this state, the driver has minimal steering or brake control.
Step 3. Stay focused
When you are behind the wheel, you must always pay attention to the road, other vehicles and pedestrians; this behavior is particularly important in the rain, when visibility is poor and the stopping distance is greater due to slippery asphalt. Stay focused:
- Constantly keeping your eyes on the road;
- Paying attention to what other drivers and pedestrians around you are doing;
- Turning off the radio, ignoring the cell phone and all other electronic devices;
- Interrupting any conversation you are having with other passengers;
- Avoiding eating, reading or wearing makeup while driving.
Step 4. Turn on the lights
When it starts raining, immediately turn on your headlights, regardless of whether it is day or night. In some states it is illegal to drive in the rain with the lights off. There are two reasons why you should always turn on your headlights when it rains:
- First, the lights on allow other drivers to see your car;
- Secondly, when it rains the sky is usually cloudy and the lights allow for better visibility of the road.
Step 5. Keep both hands on the wheel
You should always drive with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, because this position allows you to have maximum control of the vehicle when you have to turn, abruptly dodge an obstacle or react quickly; this is a very important factor, especially when the situation is particularly difficult.
Although it has traditionally been believed that the ideal hand position is at 10 and 2 o'clock, doing so actually increases the risk of injury from the airbag in the event of a collision
Step 6. Stay five seconds behind the car in front of you
You should always maintain a safe distance equivalent to three or four seconds of delay from the car in front of you, but when it rains you should take it to at least five seconds. In this way, not only do you have more time to stop or change direction if necessary, but you have better visibility, because you are protected from the splashes of other cars.
- To understand how many seconds you are late on the car in front of you, pay attention when it reaches an element (such as a road sign) and count how many seconds it takes to reach the same object.
- Respecting the safety distance also means having an escape route to avoid a collision quickly. Always make sure you have free space in front of or beside you to move around.
Step 7. Don't brake violently
Pressing the brake pedal sharply makes you slide forward on the seat, limiting control of the car; moreover, this behavior causes some water to enter the brakes, making them less effective.
- Instead of braking, you can slow down by releasing the accelerator pedal or, if the car has a manual gearbox, by shifting to a lower gear.
- The fact that it is not possible to stop quickly when it rains is another reason why it is important to increase the safety distance.
Step 8. Take turns slowly
If you turn too quickly on a wet road, the wheels can be prone to aquaplaning, thus losing control of the machine with the risk of skidding. When you are approaching the point where you need to turn, promptly activate the turn signal and start slowing down earlier than you would in optimal road conditions.
Just like driving on straights, when it rains you should reduce the turning speed by a third
Step 9. Don't use cruise control
This is another factor that can cause aquaplaning. The weight of the car shifts slightly when you press or release the accelerator and this allows the tires to maintain good grip on the asphalt. With the activation of the cruise control, however, the speed of the car is constant and there are no weight shifts; as a result, the machine can lose grip.
Step 10. Pull over if necessary
Don't be afraid to pull over if you don't feel comfortable driving in adverse weather conditions. If you cannot see the sides of the road, the cars in front of you or your surroundings within a safe distance, it is best to stop the journey.
- Other factors that can reduce speed are reflections from other cars' lights and lightning strikes.
- You should pull over even if there is too much water on the asphalt, if the road is too slippery or if you simply feel unsafe.
- To stop safely, activate the turn signal, check the mirrors, blind spots, pull over as far as possible from the center of the lane and light the four arrows.
Part 3 of 3: Responding in an Emergency
Step 1. Go back if you are faced with a flooded area or with moving water
Wading in deep or moving water can be dangerous for many reasons: you could get stuck, the engine could stall, you could damage your vehicle or electrical system, or you could be dragged away.
- If you can't see the ground below, it means the moving water is too deep.
- Do not attempt to wade where the water is higher than the car's underbody.
- If you encounter these types of floods, go back and find an alternative route; if it is the only way and it is blocked, pull over and wait for the situation to resolve.
Step 2. Be prepared to react in the event of aquaplaning
This phenomenon also occurs at low speeds (55 km / h); in this situation, the car may become unresponsive when you try to steer and you may find that the rear has little grip. Here's what to do:
- Keep calm;
- Do not turn the steering;
- Release your foot from the accelerator pedal;
- Slowly apply gentle pressure on the brake pedal.
Step 3. Know what to do when you start skidding
Losing control on a wet road is particularly scary, but just like in any emergency situation, the key is to stay calm. See where you want to go, release your foot from the accelerator and gently steer in the desired direction. Avoid braking and never press the brake pedal hard.
