Tips for driving in the rain
As spring approaches, we’ll be looking at more and more wet weekends in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Driving in the rain can be nerve-wracking even for experienced motorists, particularly in busy metropolitan areas such as Fort Worth and Dallas. To help you stay safe on the roads and avoid accidents, we’ve put together this list of tips for driving in the rain:
- Slow down: Keep in mind that speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. It takes longer to stop when roads are wet, so adjust your speed accordingly.
- Keep your distance: Increase the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
- Stay back: Don’t follow large vehicles, such as 18-wheelers or busses, too closely. Their tires create a large spray that could reduce your vision.
- Stay alert: While we should always give driving our complete attention while behind the wheel, we must remain even more alert when driving in the rain.
- Turn on your headlights: Even in light rain, turn your headlights on so other cars can see you better.
- Check your wipers: Before you head out to drive in the rain, be sure your wipers are in good working condition. If you know the forecast is calling for rainy weather, be proactive and replace old or brittle wiper blades.
- Allow yourself more travel time: Leave earlier than you normally would for your appointments to avoid the temptation to rush or speed.
- Check your tire pressure: Low tire pressure is one of the leading causes of skidding and hydroplaning.
- Drive in the middle lanes: In general, water tends to pool on either side of the road, so stay in the middle lane when possible where there are fewer puddle collections to reduce your chances of hydroplaning.
- Don’t use cruise control: Maintain complete control over your vehicle when driving in the rain. A split second could mean the difference between safe driving and a car accident. Also, if you hydroplane, cruise control could actually cause your vehicle to accelerate.
- Pull over: If the rainfall becomes so heavy that you can no longer see the vehicle in front of you, pull off the road to a safe location until rain lets up and visibility improves.
- Avoid moving water: As a rule of thumb, don’t drive through moving water unless you can see the ground. The force of the water could sweep your car off the road.
- Avoid pools of standing water: What appears to be a shallow puddle could actually be hiding a deep pothole. If possible, drive around pools of water.
- Watch out for debris: Rain can wash debris such as tree limbs or leaves onto the road. It’s important that you keep your eyes on the road at all times.
- Defog your windows: The moisture from rain can quickly cause your windows to fog. Using your defroster with your air conditioner will keep the air in your car dry.
- Stay informed: Before heading out, check weather and traffic reports so you can avoid areas with congestion or flooding.
By following these safety tips and using common sense, Texas drivers can stay accident-free while driving in the rain and other inclement weather.
