How To Drive Safely In Heavy Rain? Without Hydroplaning!

There’s nothing worse than driving on an open road and having Mother Nature unleash her wrath in the form of a heavy downpour. It is hard to see, and wet roads can be perilous, especially if you don’t take the proper precautions. One of the significant dangers of driving in the rain is hydroplaning, so read on for tips on avoiding it!

What is Hydroplaning?

Have you ever felt your car ‘floating’ on the water while driving in the rain? If so, then you’ve hydroplaned. It occurs when your tires and the road lose contact due to a water build-up. It can happen if it’s raining heavily or there has been a recent downpour, and the streets are still wet. When this happens, your car runs the risk of spinning out of control, which can be extremely dangerous.

How to Avoid Hydroplaning?

An ideal way to avoid the condition is to slow down when it’s raining. We know it’s fun to splash through puddles (or at least it was when we were kids), but driving too fast can cause hydroplaning. If you must drive fast, ensure your tires are adequately inflated and have good tread. You should also avoid driving through puddles if you can help it.

What to Do When You Hydroplane?

If you feel the car is starting to skid, remove your foot from the gas and do not brake suddenly. Until you feel the car regain traction, keep steering in the direction you want it to go. Braking should be done gently with ABS brakes if necessary. If possible, do not swerve because doing so might cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Other Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain:

There are numerous other dangers associated with driving in the rain. It is harder to see, so you should take extra care while driving. Here are some safety tips for driving in the rain:

1. Keep Your Headlights On:

Low beams only, please! Keeping the headlights on allows you to see the road clearly and make you visible to other drivers. Regardless of the time of the day, you must always keep your headlights on whenever it’s raining.

2. Reduce Your Speed:

It’s always safe to reduce your speed when the roads are wet. It will allow you enough time to react if things get out of control. About 35 mph is a reasonable speed to maintain on the highway, and 25 mph is ideal for city streets.

3. Increase Your Following Distance:

Maintaining a safe distance between two cars is a crucial trick even during regular days. But it’s imperative in wet weather. You don’t want to bump into the car in front of you if they have to brake suddenly.

4. Keep Your Car Windshield Clean:

Foggy windshields are a hazard, plain and simple. Driving safely is impossible if you can’t see where you’re going. Please ensure your windshield wipers are in good working order and that you have plenty of washer fluid.

Conclusion:

Driving on wet roads requires extra care. We hope our safety tips will help you avoid hydroplaning and safely make it to your destination. If you want to prepare your car for the upcoming rainy season, bring it for a check-up at Cutter Mazda Honolulu , serving Honolulu, HI.

We’ll ensure your tires have good tread and everything else is in working order. Schedule a service appointment today!

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