Driving A Car In Rain
Should I alter the way I drive when it is raining?
When you're driving in rain, there are certain things you need to do. And one is watch your speed, because if you're driving a little too fast in the rain, you could start hydroplaning on the wet roads. If you do it too close to a curve, you could actually lose control of the vehicle. And don't try to stop too quickly in the rain, because that could be dangerous, too. You could spin out of control, you could actually crash into other vehicles.
Should I always use my headlights in the rain?
Whenever you're driving in bad weather conditions, especially rainy conditions, you should always turn on your headlights. Having your headlights on will help you see others, and will help others see you; it could mean the difference between driving safely or being involved in a collision.
What do I do if my car skids or loses traction in the rain?
If your car skids or loses traction in the rain, first of all, you have to consider what type of breaking system you have. If you have an anti-lock breaking system, hold your foot on the break and let the car do the breaking for you. It will actually pump the breaks for you. If you don't have anti-lock breaks, a gentle tapping on the breaks is needed, no slamming on the breaks as this could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Whichever kind of breaking system you have, you want to steer the car into the direction you want the vehicle to go.
Is it safer to "steer into the skid"?
Now, a lot of times you'll hear people tell you to turn into the skid and that can be confusing for a lot of people. Don't think of turning into the skid, think of it as turning the wheel in the direction you want the car to go. That will allow you to recover from the skid and straighten the vehicle out.
What is "hydroplaning"?
Hydroplaning is where it's raining so hard and water is building up so quickly on the road that your tyres just can't channel it away quickly enough. As a result, your tyres start riding on a thin layer of water on the road, hydroplaning. They lose contact with the surface of the road and your car can spin out of control. Hydroplaning is a very dangerous situation.
What can I do to avoid hydroplaning?
To avoid hydroplaning, first of all, make sure your tyres are in good condition. You need good tyre tread, you need to make sure your tires are properly inflated to avoid hydroplaning. Another good idea to avoid hydroplaning is to follow in the tracks of the car in front of you and if you are driving on the freeway or interstate, avoid driving in the outer lanes where water tends to pool.
