Driving in the Rain: 10 Tips for Safe Driving
🎶I’m driving in the rain, just driving in the rain, what a glorious feeling…🎶
Well, maybe not. Whether it’s a light sprinkle or a heavy downpour, driving in rain can be stressful and dangerous, and you can’t avoid it! It rains roughly one-third of the days in a year in Northern Virginia, so one way or another you’ll eventually find yourself caught in the rain on the road.
Here are some tips you’ll want to follow the next time you’re caught driving in the rain.
Before You Go
Check Your Tread
For the best performance in wet weather, make sure your tires have an adequate tread depth.
Tires are designed with channels for water to flow through. The channels direct water away from the tire so that it remains in contact with the road. The shallower the channel (aka tread depth), the less water it can move. So when your tread depth is low, it takes much longer for your vehicle to come to a stop.
To test your tires’ tread depth, use the quarter test! Find a quarter and place it head-first into the tire tread. If you can see all of George Washington’s head, your tire tread is at or below 4/32” and needs to be replaced soon.
Once the tread depth gets to 2/32”, the tires are unsafe to drive and will fail a Virginia Safety Inspection.
Next time you need new tires, shop our selection of the best tires on the market. And we offer a 110% Tire Price Guarantee, so if you find a set of tires somewhere else for a lower price, we’ll match that price and refund you 10% of the difference!
Read: The 6 Best Tires for Wet Roads
Check Your Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires have better handling and traction and lead to increased tire life. You also decrease the risk of hydroplaning when your tires are at the correct pressure.
We recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a month. You can find the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure in the owner’s manual or on a sticker mounted inside the driver-side door.
Read: Tire Maintenance 101: Taking Care of Your Tires
Check the Weather
Before heading out in the rain, look at the weather forecast. Can you wait to leave? Should you stay at home? What are the current road conditions?
If you have to drive in the rain, check the radar to get an idea of what to expect as you drive through the storm.
On the Road
No matter what condition your tires are in, good driving habits are essential for safe driving in wet weather. If you’re ready to brave the elements, follow these 10 safety tips for driving in the rain.
1. Use Your Windshield Wipers
Is it time to replace your wiper blades? We recommend replacing your windshield wiper blades every six months to a year. Old, degraded wiper blades create streaks and smearing, which greatly reduce your visibility in the rain.
Our technicians would be happy to install new front and back windshield wiper blades that fit your vehicle as a standalone service or in addition to any other repair or service.
2. Slow Down
Your tires lose about one-third of their traction on wet pavement, so, as a rule of thumb, when driving on wet roads you should reduce your speed by about a third. For example, if the speed limit is 45 mph, you should drive about 30 mph in the rain.
3. Maintain a Safe Distance
Defensive driving courses teach that in normal driving conditions, you should stay about 3-4 seconds behind the car in front of you. If it’s raining or there are additional difficult driving conditions, increase your following distance to at least 5-8 seconds.
4. Turn on Your Headlights
In many states, including Virginia, drivers are required to turn on their headlights any time they are using their windshield wipers. This improves your ability to see and be seen by others.
Many newer cars come with automatic running lights, but you should still turn on your actual headlights so that your taillights come on as well.
5. Avoid Heavy Braking & Jerky Steering
Making sudden, forceful movements is an easy way to go into a skid or lose control of the car in the rain. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to stop and avoid jerking the steering wheel and hard cornering.
6. Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Watch for standing water, and do not attempt to drive through water if you can’t see the ground. It only takes a few inches of running water to move a small car, and the road may be washed out underneath floodwaters.
7. Act Smart When You Hydroplane
Hydroplaning happens when tires are riding on top of a thin layer of water and lose all contact with the road. This leaves you unable to control the vehicle. It is most common during heavy rain or at high speeds on wet roads, but it can happen even in light rain or at speeds as low as 35 mph.
If you are hydroplaning, gently take your foot off the gas pedal and avoid turning the wheel until your tires have regained traction. If you find yourself starting to spin, slowly turn your steering wheel in the direction you want to go. Do not slam on the brakes!
8. Turn Off Cruise Control
Cruise control is a handy feature for highway driving, but in wet conditions, it increases your risk of losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle’s cruise control system will not be able to recognize when your car loses traction and could continue to accelerate even as your car goes off the road!
In addition, when a vehicle starts to hydroplane, the first step to regaining traction is to reduce the car’s speed by taking your foot off the accelerator. But this cannot happen if cruise control is engaged.
9. Ventilate the Vehicle
Foggy windows? Ventilate the car by running the air conditioner or opening a window. This will dehumidify the air inside the car and prevent your windows from fogging up.
10. Stay Alert
When driving on wet roads, you should turn off cruise control, put the phone far away and turn down the music! Driving in heavy rain demands your full attention. Be extra vigilant for road hazards, pedestrians and stopped cars. And be prepared for other weather conditions that come with rain, such as hail and strong winds.
Be extra careful right after it starts to rain, especially after long dry spells. This is because the first rain to fall mixes with grime and oil residue on the road, creating extra slick roads.
Read: Safe Driving Tips for VA Drivers
Prepare for Rainy Weather at Virginia Tire & Auto
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your feet ready for action! And whether you need new tires, new windshield wiper blades, or tire maintenance service, Virginia Tire & Auto is here for all your car needs. Drop by any of our locations for service or schedule a visit online!