Driving Safety Tips During Rainy Season

Rainy weather can create hazardous driving conditions that require extra attention on the road. Slippery roads and reduced visibility can contribute to a higher risk of accidents. As we enter the peak of the rainy season here in Florida, having the proper knowledge and precautions will help increase your driving safety. In this blog, let’s examine some of the top driving safety tips for rainy weather to help you stay safe on the road.

• Prepare your vehicle: The first step to ensure your safety on the road is to check that your vehicle is safe. You must check your tires, lights, windshield wipers, and brakes. Your tires should have decent tread depth and the appropriate amount of pressure. A good tread helps with traction on wet surfaces. Your lights should all be working correctly, including headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Your windshield wipers should be in good condition, so they should not streak or leave streaks on your windshield. Finally, check your brakes. Stopping distances increase on wet roads, so good brakes are essential. 

• Slow Down:Wet roads reduce your vehicle’s traction. Therefore, the faster you go in rainy conditions, the higher your chance of hydroplaning. Reducing your speed allows you to react more quickly to unexpected situations and gives you more time to brake safely.

• Increase following distance: Maintain a more significant following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Typically, in ideal driving conditions, you would follow the “3-second rule,” but in slippery conditions, staying 4-6 seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you on the road is safer. This extra space allows you more time to brake or swerve if needed.

• Use headlights and fog lights: Turning on your headlights in low visibility conditions not only increases your safety on the road but it is also required by law in all 50 states. Turning on your headlights makes you more visible to other drivers and pedestrians. Bright lights or hazard lights are unnecessary, as they may make the situation more dangerous for others around you. 

• Avoid puddles and standing water: Avoid large puddles and standing water on the road, as they can hide potholes and debris. If water is high enough to puddle up on or cover the road, it could cause you to hydroplane, or it may be enough to damage your car and stall the engine. If you can’t see the markings on the road, it would be safe to assume that your vehicle will not be able to drive through the water. 

Summer rainstorms in Florida are almost unavoidable and can appear out of nowhere. However, with these tips, you can significantly reduce the risks of incidents. Remember that road safety should always be a top priority, no matter the weather.