Tips to Drive Safely in the Rain

If you are someone who drives regularly, you probably understand that road conditions can change in the blink of an eye. You may feel like you have a safe road in front of you, but all of a sudden, the conditions deteriorate. What happens if you end up driving in the rain? It will take you longer to come to a complete stop, your visibility will suffer, and you may be more distracted by everything happening around you.

If you want to drive safely in the rain, take a closer look at some of the most important tips you need to follow. Finally, do not forget to visit Doctor Wagner if you need help with car accident injuries in Florida.

driving in rain

1. Do Not Drive Unless Necessary

The most important tip you need to follow is that you should not drive in the rain unless it is absolutely necessary for you to do so. It is incredibly dangerous to drive in the rain, no matter where you are located. If you are driving in a heavily populated area, there will be a lot of other cars on the road, making it more likely for you to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

If you live in a rural area, your visibility will be poor because there are not a lot of lights on the road, creating additional hazards. Therefore, you should try to stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary. The rain is dangerous, and you should not drive in it if you can avoid doing so.

2. Leave Extra Distance Between Your Car and the Car in Front of You

Next, you need to make sure that you leave extra distance between your car and the car in front of you. Because it will take you longer to come to a complete stop, you need to create extra distance between vehicles. Even though you may follow relatively closely when the road conditions are dry, you need to leave a few extra car lengths between your car and the car in front of you when it starts to rain outside.

It might take you longer to react to changing road conditions because the conditions are poor. Then, it will take your car longer to come to a stop, increasing your chances of striking the car in front of you. You can avoid a motor vehicle accident by leaving extra following distance between your car and the car in front of you.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Oil Slicks

The most dangerous time to be on the road is actually right after the storm begins. Even if your car does not have any leaks, it will still deposit oil on the road from time to time. Every car does this. Water and oil do not mix. This means that when it starts to rain outside, the oil does not leave the road immediately. In fact, it creates oil slicks.

If you see a puddle that has multiple colors, it is an oil slick. You can lose control quickly. Try to keep your eyes open for oil slicks, and take extra care to avoid them. That way, you don’t lose control of your vehicle in the rain. Oil slicks are a very common cause of motor vehicle accidents, particularly when it rains outside.

4. Avoid Flooded Areas

Even though you may feel safe in your vehicle, you never know when a flash flood might take place. Therefore, try to stay away from flooded areas. Now, there are a lot of roads that have electronic signs on them. If they tell you that you need to avoid certain roads, you need to do so for good reason. You never know just how quickly the water might pile up, and if the water reaches the level of your radiator, it could total your car immediately.

5. Check the Condition of Your Tires

You also need to check the condition of your tires regularly. If you have brand new tires, they might be able to handle the water with ease; however, you should still try to avoid driving in the rain when possible. On the other hand, if your tires are not in good condition, you should stay off of the roads.

If your tires do not have a lot of tread left on them, your vehicle will have a difficult time filtering the water from front to back. As a result, the water can pick up your vehicle, causing you to hydroplane. You will completely lose control of your vehicle, and you could be involved in a major motor vehicle accident that might lead to serious injuries. Pay attention to your tires, and make sure they can handle the rain.

6. Use the Defroster

Your windshield is going to get wet when it rains outside. Therefore, you need to use the defroster. The extra moisture on your windshield is going to lead to condensation, and it can cause the inside of your windshield to fog up. Even though you might be tempted to use your hand to wipe away the windshield, you are simply going to place body oil on the windshield, making it even harder for you to see. Therefore, your defroster is your friend. Make sure you turn it on, and use it to keep your windshield clear.

7. Slow Down

Finally, the most important thing that you need to remember if you are driving in the rain is that you need to slow down. You need to give yourself time to react to changing road conditions, and you do not want to risk losing control of your vehicle. Even losing control of your vehicle for a single second could lead to a major accident, so make sure you drive under the speed limit. That way, you can protect yourself and those around you. Do not forget to reach out to an auto accident doctor if you need help following a motor vehicle accident.

Visit Doctor Wagner for Help With Car Accident Injuries in Florida

If you have been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in Florida, it is important for you to call 911 as quickly as possible. Then, even if you have been to the emergency room, you need to reach out to a local chiropractor who can help you recover.

At Doctor Wagner, we have a significant amount of experience working with a wide variety of auto accident injuries, and we can help you recover as well. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with a member of our team!

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