Summertime
Doesn’t Only Bring Sunshine and Blue Skies
While
we’re all excited for the beautiful weather that
comes with the summer season, we can’t forget about the unfavorable weather.
Travel can be quite difficult in heavy rain and those who must be on the roads
should proceed with caution to ensure they make it to their destination safely.
Keep reading for 5 helpful tips to keep you safe while driving in heavy rainstorms
this summer.
- Take Your Time
The
first and perhaps most important thing is to slow down. Sure, you might arrive
a few minutes late to your destination, but arriving safely is more
important than being on time. If you know you will be traveling during
potentially hazardous weather
conditions, consider leaving at least 15 minutes early or more, depending on
the distance you’re going. Doing this will help to ensure you aren’t late and
will alleviate your stress about rushing to get there.
- Make Sure Your
Headlights Are On
New
York State Law requires you to turn on your headlights, even during the
day, any time that you must use your windshield wipers for visibility. In fact,
the law states that is true when it is foggy, snowing,
sleeting, and of course, if it is raining. Doing so makes your car easier for
others on the road to see you. It is important to get to know the car you are
driving before you hit the road as not all vehicles have headlights that
automatically turn on when your wipers do.
- Leave Space
Between Cars
Braking can be
difficult when you are driving on wet roads, so leaving space between your car
and the one in front of you is imperative. Heavy rain decreases visibility, so
giving more space provides you with more time to react should the car in front
of you brake suddenly or crash.
- Avoid Driving
Through Standing Water
Heavy
rain brings along the possibility of standing water on roads. Driving through
water can not only damage your vehicle, but it can also be quite dangerous. If
you see water covering the road ahead of you, it might be a good choice to take
an alternate route or to slow down and carefully assess the situation. If you
absolutely must pass over water and feel it is safe to do so, you should go as
slow as possible and choose the highest point in the road to pass over because
the water likely will be the shallowest there.
- Know What to do
if you Hydroplane
Hydroplaning,
a dangerous driving condition that can happen at any speed, occurs when a
vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road surface and no longer have traction. The first thing to do when this happens is stay calm. If
you feel your car starting to hydroplane, let off the gas and gently steer
towards the direction you want to go. It is very important not to swerve or brake heavily
when this happens as it can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. A good way
to avoid hydroplaning is to drive slowly, especially if you can see rain on the
road.
Following
these safety tips will set you up for success while driving in heavy rain this
summer. However, no matter how careful and prepared we are, accidents can still
happen. Click the button below to learn more about how you can protect your
vehicle and yourself in any traveling condition.
