Rain and wet road conditions are perhaps the worst conditions that most drivers will face on a regular basis. Hazards and risks are elevated whenever it starts to rain, or even if roads are still wet from a recent downpour. Many drivers will simply slow down as their only safety precaution when it begins to rain. While reducing speed is a crucial element of how to drive safely in wet conditions, there are several other techniques or considerations that motorists need to be aware of when driving in the rain.
Not to rain on your parade, but heavy downpours can be dangerous: more than half of flood fatalities are vehicle-related, according to the National Weather Service. We asked James Solomon, a subject-matter expert on driver safety at the National Safety Council, to provide some common-sense safety tips for driving in the rain.
1. Drive A Clean Car In Good Condition
When visibility is limited by wet weather, it’s important that your car itself doesn’t impede your sight. Once a month, clean the outsides and insides of windshields and windows, and check your windshield wiper blades for wear. Check the level of your washer fluid once a week.
Solomon also recommends doing a quick check of headlights, taillights, turn signals and tire treads before driving the car for the first time each day. “Rain or no rain, operating without [signal lights], you’re a hazard—and it’s a ticketable offense,” he explains.
2. Know The Roads
Roads are built to withstand different weather conditions in different parts of the country, so if you’re new to an area, use extra caution during or after a storm. In many southern states, “the asphalt isn’t as compressed,” Solomon explains. “This means it can rain and the road can look totally dry, but it’s not. You’ll squeegee up the water that’s caught in the road aggregate, and now your tires are wet and slick and you don’t even know it.”
Take a moment to consider your route, too. If it takes you through low-lying bridge underpasses or past ditches prone to flooding, it might be a good day to take the freeway instead.
3. Switch On Lights, Not Brights
Though many newer cars come with automatic running lights, turn on the actual headlights when using windshield wipers so your taillights come on as well. “The idea behind having headlights is so other people can see you,” says Solomon. “When you turn your headlights on and your back lights come on, you identify all four corners of the vehicle.”
You don’t, however, need to flip on your brights; the brighter light will just reflect off wet surfaces, bouncing back into your eyes and irritating other drivers.
4. Slow Down!
Leave at least five seconds of following distance between your own car and the one in front, and don’t feel pressure to drive the posted speed limit. “The speed [listed] on the side of the highway is the maximum speed for perfect weather and perfect road conditions, so if the road is wet, it could be too fast for existing conditions,” says Solomon. “If other people don’t like it, they can pass you.”
And remember: never use cruise control on wet roads. If you hydroplane under cruise control, the automatic acceleration can cause you to lose control of your vehicle when your tires regain traction.
5. Don’t Get In Too Deep
If water is covering the markings on the road, it’s too deep to drive on. According to Solomon, you can lose control with as little as three inches of water on the road. And even if you manage to stay in control, a larger vehicle could push some of that water underneath your car, causing your engine to stall.
6. Steer Where You Want To Go
If you’re going too fast and end up hydroplaning (which Solomon calls surfboarding or waterskiing, “because that’s what you’re doing”), turn the wheel in the direction you want to go—and don’t be afraid if you don’t steer out of the skid on the first try. It may take three to five adjustments to get back on course (and a little while longer for your heart to stop pounding).
7. Hold Off On Unnecessary Trips
It’s one thing if you need to get home to your children or you’re already on the road, but otherwise, ask yourself if you’ve driven in this kind of weather before and if you’re ready to handle it right now. When bad weather is in the forecast, “a lot of people feel they have to go to the store,” says Solomon. But just as you would stay off the roads in heavy snow, it’s OK to stay home in heavy rain. If you have a small business in a flood-prone area and there’s lots of precipitation on the way, try to make arrangements for employees to work from home so they don’t have to worry about making the commute on potentially flooded roads.
Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. From getting the right flood insurance to having your house’s pipes checked, find out how to prepare before the big rainstorm hits in our Get Your Home Flood Ready guide.
For more tips on driving in heavy rain and other extreme weather, check out the National Safety Council’s defensive driving courses. Bonus: you could even get a discount on your car insurance for taking one.
Anthony hinds says,
How many years am insured with you’ll check my driving 🚗 record thats speaks for itself..
Nayla Abdel-Malek says,
Between the completion of the GEICO Insurance Discount Course (Defensive driving course) & the safety tips for driving in the rain it’s very valuable advice for a safe driving . Thank you!
Francine Kunder says,
Great advice!! You covered all the possibilities! Thank you
Jeffrey Brothers says,
concerning slowing down when raining, it is important to remember that when on an expressway or freeway you should stay in the right lane if you want to go below the speed limit. Going slower or below the speed limit in the left lane impedes the flow of traffic, forces others to illegally pass on the right, causes road rage and is dangerous. Slower traffic should keep right in all circumstances. There is nothing worse than having someone impede the flow of traffic by cruising in the left lane at their own speed. Keep out of the left lane accept to pass or unless in stop and go traffic. Anything else is dangerous and unfortunately in the US. there is very little enforcement of this common sense road rule.
Editor says,
So true! https://www.geico.com/living/driving/auto/car-safety-insurance/left-lane-driving/
Jan says,
Thank you for saying this! Also, big semi trucks should not get in the right lane if they cannot get up a safe speed to pass a slower semi in the left lane.
FREDDY QUILES says,
try not to talk on the phone while driving in the rain or snow…
Editor says,
Or while driving in ANY condition! 🙂
Scott Turner says,
Excellent advice
Scott Turner says,
Thanks
Karen Kinsey says,
Also-no cruise control when the road is wet.
Em says,
It does say to not use that 🙂
Annabelle808 says,
Great articles that I appreciate. Keep them coming.
Annabelle808 says,
When I’m driving in heavy traffic and see sudden red brake lights on all cars ahead I turn on my flashers to warn cars behind me especially big rigs.
Jeffreywbrothers@yahoo.com says,
great idea! That’s the way they drive in Europe and it saves on pile ups!
Annabelle808 says,
Are there laws regarding securing pets in your vehicle especially dogs? Can I be cited?
Eric.. says,
Thank for the info.. reminder are always good to get..
Dave Duncan says,
Good tips. Three inches of water?
Hsiao Min Li says,
i got it
Bill Rausch says,
Don’t drive with your emergency flashers on use them only if you’re stopped on the side of the road
Kathryn Rowland says,
i use them is I am going very slowly – especially on the highway or whether or other idiots are going way too fast.
Jeffrey Brothers says,
your best bet is to go slow in the right lane. Hazard lights are for pulling over to the side of the road and to be used when a vehicle is stopped or not moving.