How to Avoid Car Accidents When It’s Raining
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Want to know how to avoid car accidents when it’s raining?
Although it doesn’t rain every day, there are many car accidents caused by rain or wet pavement. According to the US Department of Transportation, there were more than 1.2 million crashes per year on average between 2007 and 2016 involving adverse weather. In fact, 46% of these crashes occurred during rainy conditions.
Unfortunately, many of these accidents could’ve been prevented by taking extra precautions. Here are some tips to help you avoid car accidents when it’s raining and keep yourself and others safe.
Drive a Little Slower
According to McCormick & Murphy, P.C., wet roads reduce the amount of grip your tires have on the pavement. As a result, there is an elevated risk of hydroplaning or sliding when driving at high speeds or braking. To stay safe, drive at a slower speed than usual and avoid heavy braking. Generally, the posted speed limit is safe in most rain conditions. However, use your best judgment, and don’t drive too quickly if it’s raining heavily.
Increase Distance Between Other Vehicles
As mentioned in step one, your vehicle’s traction suffers in the presence of water. This means that braking isn’t as effective as it usually is on a dry surface. Which makes it really hard to avoid car accidents when it’s raining.
When the road is wet, your vehicle travels a longer distance before stopping. Thus, you should give yourself extra room between your vehicle and the driver in front of you. If the vehicle ahead of you stops abruptly, you’ll have more time to react.
Ensure Your Windshield Wipers Work
In severe thunderstorms, you may experience much lower visibility than usual. While you may be tempted to complete a trip without working windshield wipers, it puts yourself and other drivers at risk of a severe accident. Before driving in adverse weather, make sure your windshield wipers work. If they don’t wipe the entire windshield, adjust them until they remove an adequate amount of water.
Turn on Defrosters or Ventilate Air
Even if your windshield wipers work, it won’t help if the humidity keeps fogging up your windows. Wiping away the fog with your hand isn’t enough if you don’t address the source of the humidity. There are a couple ways to fix this problem.
First, turn on your front and rear window defrosters. If you don’t have a defroster, then turn on the heat and turn off air recirculation. Remember, warm air holds more moisture than cold air.
Use Your Headlights
When it rains, the clouds may reduce the amount of sunlight. In some instances, the clouds make it so dark that it’s difficult to see other vehicles. If this happens, turn on your headlights to increase the visibility of your vehicle and others. Avoid using hazard lights or high beams, since these may confuse or blind other drivers.
Now You Can Try to Avoid Car Accidents When it’s Raining
These simple tips are essential to driving safely in rainy conditions. Remember that car accidents, even at low speeds, have the potential to be devastating. Taking these precautions goes a long way in preventing crashes and keeping everyone on the road safe. These tips can help you try to avoid car accidents when it’s raining, and get home safely!
