When driving through bad weather, you may have to adjust your technique to stay safe on the road. Although many people assume their car is designed for all-weather driving, taking a few precautions can help drivers stay safe. Here are a few important do’s and don’ts for driving through the rain, so you don’t find yourself in need of roadside assistance. 

Do: 

Use the headlights.

Rain can impact visibility, which is why you should always flip on the headlights as soon as a downpour begins. This will make it easier to see the road. However, turning on the headlights will also illuminate your taillights so other people can see you, too. 

Lower your speed. 

When the ground is saturated with water, it can become slippery, making it harder for the car to stop. To give yourself more control, lower your speed and focus on turning slowly. Lowering your speed may also help you to avoid obstacles like potholes, which could result in the need to call for roadside assistance. 

Don’t: 

Tailgate. 

As a general rule of thumb, you should give yourself at least one to two seconds worth of extra following time between you and the car ahead. Since you should normally give someone about three seconds worth of following time, consider bumping that amount up to four or five seconds to prevent unnecessary accidents. This equals about one car length of distance for every ten miles in the speed limit. 

Slam on the brakes. 

If you slam on the brakes in the rain and the road is wet enough, it could cause the car to hydroplane or slide across the wet road. Never slam on the brakes during a rainstorm. Instead, use even, gentle pressure to apply the brakes slowly. 

If you find yourself in need of roadside assistance, call the professionals at Blystone Towing & Radiator Inc in Portage, WI, for help. For over 50 years, these mechanics have been helping motorists with everything from 24-hour towing and roadside assistance to oil changes. They service Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Sauk, Marquette, Green Lake, Adams, Juneau and the surrounding counties. To learn more about how they can help you in a pinch, visit them online or give their office a call at (608) 742-4228 with any questions.