7 Tips for Driving in the Rain Safely
Driving in any kind of precipitation is a skill almost all drivers must master, regardless of which state they call home. While rain is common, it still requires adjustments to keep you and your passengers safe. If you're still new to driving and want a quick guide to driving in the rain, the list of tips below guides you in fine-tuning your driving behaviors to safely navigate your next rainy day. The keys to safe rain driving are reducing your speed, increasing your following distance, maintaining your tires, and maximizing your visibility.
The Dangers of Driving in the Rain
Clear conditions make for the best driving, but the weather on Earth is never always sunny and mild. Instead, drivers must contend with multiple types of wet conditions over their driving careers. Although rain is tamer than snow and certainly easier to drive through, it still presents drivers with a challenge.
Here are two main concerns drivers should consider before getting behind the wheel on a rainy day:
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds between your tires and the road surface, causing your vehicle to lose traction. At higher speeds, this loss of control increases your risk of a crash or leaving the road.
What is viscoplaning?
Viscoplaning occurs when oil, rubber residue, and other buildup on the road surface mix with rainwater and create slippery conditions. These conditions are most common during the first rain after a dry spell, when the first 10 to 30 minutes of rainfall are typically the most dangerous.
The bottom line is that an accident can occur at any time on the road, regardless of the conditions present. Rely on informed driving habits to keep you and your passengers safe, and use the following tips to adjust your driving skills in the rain.
7 Tips for Driving in Rainy Weather
Although rain requires slight adjustments to your driving habits, the same general rules apply. Increase your visibility to ensure you can safely navigate the roads, and adjust your speed to fit the present conditions. Reduce stress factors to focus on what's most important: arriving safely.
1. Adjust Your Driving Habits
Ask yourself, "Do I have to be out in this weather?" If you can avoid driving, do so. Waiting out the storm can increase the safety factor and help you avoid compromising circumstances.
If you must be on the road while it rains, add extra time to your itinerary and remain patient, especially for other drivers. Avoid driving at night if you can't clearly see the lines, street lights, or other cars. Avoid distractions (like a smartphone) and any aggressive driving behaviors, specifically those that require quick movements.
2. Operate at Lower Speeds
Driving with any kind of road hazard, including rain, requires operating your vehicle at a lower speed. It's much easier to control your vehicle at 35 miles per hour than it is at even 45 or 50 miles per hour. But slowing down is only half of the equation.
In addition to reducing your speed (even if it's below the speed limit), adjust your driving behaviors to be more intentional and smooth. Avoid using cruise control or sudden maneuvers, change lanes only when necessary, and accelerate or brake gently and with control. If you can bring the car to a slower speed by lifting off the gas instead of going straight for the brake, all the better.
3. Increase Your Following Distance
Slowing your vehicle down will increase the time you have to react to any hazards that come your way. However, you can also add time on your side if you increase the following distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Avoid tailgating drivers, especially as conditions worsen.
Rain can often make visibility at night challenging, particularly if the lane markers aren't well-lit. Increase your distance by three or four car lengths if you're driving at night and find it challenging to see the lanes, or cars, in front of you. Give large vehicles even more space.
4. Check Tire Tread Depth and Pressure
Proper tire tread depth and pressure can help your tires maintain grip on the road's surface. To check your tread depth, place a penny upside down in the tire groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread is too worn and you should replace the tire before driving in wet conditions.
Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure settings indicated on the driver's door jamb or owner's manual. With the correct tire pressure, the tread contacts the road as intended and keeps your vehicle planted.
5. Watch for Water Hazards
As tempting as it is to plow through standing water, the spray it induces can cause your engine to stall. Puddles can also be deeper than they seem and hide all kinds of road hazards like potholes or sharp objects. Avoid flooded roads if possible.
6. Prioritize Visibility
Engage your headlights and fog lights (if equipped) to help other drivers see your car in the rain. Use your windshield wipers to clear rain at a comparable rate to allow you to see the road ahead. If your wipers don't clear the windshield well, pull over and wipe the blades clean with a cloth or tissue.
Your car's defrosting function can also help clear fog and condensation from the windows and windshield to maintain your line of sight. Pull over at the nearest safe location if you cannot see the road, lane markings, or vehicles ahead of you, and put on your hazard lights. Should a mild rainstorm turn into a thunderstorm or hailstorm, pull over and seek shelter, or stay in your vehicle if there's nowhere else to go.
7. Assemble or Restock Your Emergency Kit
If you don't already have an emergency kit in your vehicle, now's the time to put one together. Grab a small sealable duffel bag and place food, water, a flashlight, and a blanket inside. Add any other items you think you might need if you were stranded in your vehicle for a few days.
Stay Safe on the Road, Rain or Shine
It's critical to develop and practice safe driving habits in multiple types of precipitation, including rain. Although rainy conditions may not be as slick as driving during the winter, they can still teach many drivers who hydroplane a hard lesson. The next time you venture out in a rainstorm, put these tips into practice and keep yourself and other drivers on the road safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drive in the rain?
Driving in the rain is safe if you adjust your habits. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, use your headlights, and make sure your tires have adequate tread depth and pressure. If visibility drops to the point where you cannot see the road or other vehicles, pull over at the nearest safe location.
What should you do if your car starts hydroplaning?
Ease off the gas pedal and avoid slamming the brakes or making sudden steering movements. Keep your hands steady on the wheel and let your vehicle slow down naturally until your tires regain contact with the road.
When is rain most dangerous for driving?
The first 10 to 30 minutes of rainfall tend to be the most dangerous. Oil, rubber residue, and other buildup on the road mix with the water, creating especially slick conditions. Roads also become more hazardous at night when reduced visibility compounds the effects of wet pavement.
If your vehicle has been damaged in a weather-related accident, Crash Champions can help. With 650+ locations across the country, our certified technicians handle every step of the repair process and back every repair with a written lifetime guarantee. Find your nearest Crash Champions location to schedule your free estimate.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes and may not reflect every situation. While we strive for accuracy, this content is general guidance, not a substitute for visiting your local collision repair provider. For questions about your specific vehicle or repair needs, contact your local Crash Champions team.
