Hitting the road in the rain requires safe driving techniques to overcome any challenge. To learn essential safety tips on driving during heavy rain, read today's post by K&K Oil and Lube in Clermont.
The rainiest month of the year is upon us with its fair share of driving challenges, for instance, wet roads, poor visibility, and hydroplaning. If your daily commute to work or school is by car, you may have previously experienced those poor rain-related conditions. Nonetheless, you can ensure your safety on the road by learning today's tips on how to drive safely during heavy rain by K&K Oil and Lube in Clermont.
Generally speaking, heavy downpours reflect light and distort shapes, making driving more challenging; furthermore, heavy rain might cause confusion since it decreases the road's visual depth. Still, you must be able to see traffic signs, fellow road users, and potential road warnings; therefore, here's a list of steps you need to follow to improve your visibility:
Use your windshield wipers: Needless to say, windscreen's poor visibility is dangerous while navigating the roads; therefore, you need to keep your wipers' blades in optimal condition for the rainy season.
Turn on your car's defrosters: Rain's condensation can cause your windshield to fog up; hence, use your defrosters to reduce humidity and keep your windows clear.
Turn your AC on: Using the air conditioner also helps to control the enclosed humidity. After turning it on, you can roll one of your windows down a bit to increase air circulation.
Turn on your headlights: Using your car's headlights not only improves your visibility but also helps other road users see you. To that end, improve visibility and safety by turning them on.
Reduce Your Speed
If you drive at an average speed across a rain-slickened road, your vehicle would probably skid at some point since there's a slippery layer of water combined with oily residues between your tires and the asphalt. Needless to say, these conditions can be challenging for your vehicle's traction at a fast or average speed; however, if you want your car to manage wet braking while avoiding skids safely, slow down and give your tires more time to make proper contact with the ground.
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Learn to Handle Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is one of the most common risks of driving in the rain. It refers to the slide a vehicle does on wet surfaces when the tires can't keep the grip on the surface. However, if your tires are well-maintained, you shouldn't worry about this water-related skid. Generally speaking, tires have tread depth, which means a groove measure in the tire's rubber. This structural condition allows your tires to trap and evacuate the water between the tread and the surface, improving traction. Still, you have to be ready to handle a hydroplane before it happens; hence, here are the main things to learn in advance:
Don't Brake: Although the normal reaction for most people is brake, doing it may lead to a potential spin-out; therefore, the right thing to do is keep your foot away from the brake and the gas pedal.
Place both hands on the steering wheel: To regain steering control, keep both hands on the steering wheel and place it firmly in the direction you want your vehicle to go until the tires recover traction.
If possible, stop your vehicle and pull over: In order to regain calmness, look for a safe place to park and check your tires' tread depth.
Increase Your Following Distance
As a driver, you may be familiar with the three-second rule for keeping a reasonable distance while driving. However, to ensure safety on rainy days, we suggest you a five-second rule since the wet and slippery surface may delay your braking a bit. Furthermore, other cars in traffic might spray water onto your windshield, affecting your vision. To that end, be cautious and give yourself a safe distance from other drivers.
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