Rainy days can be beautiful and peaceful, but they also bring dangers you wouldn't typically have to worry about when venturing out on the roads in sunny weather. Everyone has seen a rainstorm while driving on highways and city streets. From splashing pools of water and sudden visibility issues to slippery surfaces that make it hard for tires to grip the pavement and might lead to a car accident.
While these conditions may seem unavoidable if you need to be on the road during rainy weather, there are certain safety tips all drivers should remember before hitting the pavement. With some knowledge and preparation, the risk of car accidents can be reduced. Get ready to learn useful advice for staying safe behind the wheel when confronted with wet roads due to inclement weather, such as thunderstorms or simply light showers.
CHECK YOUR CAR BEFORE GETTING ON THE ROAD
Ensuring your car is in working order, and all lights, windshield wipers, and brakes are functioning properly can help reduce car accidents. This ensures you're not caught off guard by something malfunctioning while driving in the rain. It's also important to check your tire tread depth and inflation level. Tires with insufficient tread depth or pressure can put you at risk of hydroplaning, so taking a few minutes to ensure these things are taken care of could save you from disaster.
SLOW DOWN
One of the most important things to do when driving in the rain is slow down! Wet roads decrease traction, which makes it harder to control your car and can increase the time it takes to stop. Obey speed limit signs and reduce your speed if necessary to give yourself more time to react in case of an emergency.
INCREASE FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Rainy weather reduces visibility on the road and makes braking more difficult. So, it's important that drivers give themselves plenty of space between each other. Always leave extra room between you and the car in front of you when driving in the rain, as wet roads require longer stopping distances than dry roads. Make sure there is plenty of space so that if something happens, you have more time to react and avoid a car accident.
TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS
This might seem like a no-brainer, but in some states, it's required by law to turn your lights on when the rain is falling. Having your headlights on during rainy weather not only helps you detect other cars easier but also makes them easier for others to spot you. This will help reduce car accidents caused by people not being able to see each other due to reduced visibility in the rain.
AVOID LARGE PUDDLES
Puddles can be deceiving – what looks like a small patch of water could actually be much deeper than anticipated, potentially resulting in severe engine damage or, even worse, hydroplaning, which is a major car accident risk. If you must drive through a puddle, go slow and avoid sudden movements that could send your car out of control due to loss of traction.
BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES
No matter how careful you are, car accidents may still occur even if all the safety tips are followed. It's important to stay calm and know how to best react in case of an emergency. If a car accident happens, make sure to move your car off the road, call 911 for help, and take pictures of the scene for evidence.
DON'T USE CRUISE CONTROL
Cruise control should be turned off when driving in the rain as it can cause you to lose focus on the road and give less response time if something unexpected happens. Stay alert while driving so you can react quickly and safely if necessary.
AVOID UNNECESSARY RISKS THAT CAN LEAD TO CAR ACCIDENT
Some drivers may think it's fun to drive through puddles, speed in the rain, or even compete with other drivers on the road. But these risky behaviors increase your chances of getting into an accident and should be avoided at all costs.
DRIVE SAFELY IN THE RAIN
Driving in the rain can be hazardous and leads to a higher chance of getting into an accident. It takes only one split-second distraction for the results to be devastating. It is important for motorists to review basic safety tips for driving in the rain, as well as make sure their car is up to date on maintenance and road-worthy. Following these simple steps can reduce your risks when traveling in wet weather.
CONTACT A WISCONSIN CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by another person's negligence, contact us at Bykhovsky Law LLC to receive a free consultation and legal advice regarding your situation. Our experienced and professional legal team will do our absolute best to help make sure that justice is served for you and your family.
