When it’s raining, tires can skid on wet pavement, and water droplets on the windshield can create a glare. This decrease in vehicle handling and visibility contributes to weather-related crashes, with 418,000 people injured in these types of collisions each year. Practicing your defensive driving skills, as outlined below, will keep you safe during a rainy weather commute.

How to Drive Safely in the Rain

1. Increase Following Distance

Tire traction is reduced on slick roads, which means it could take longer to come to a complete stop. So that you don’t rear-end vehicles ahead of you that stop short, increase your following distance to at least four seconds. This means that you will pass the same landmarks as the car ahead of you four seconds later. This should give you enough time to respond to the road conditions ahead. 

2. Avoid Puddles

If possible, avoid streets with large puddles. It can be challenging to gauge the depth of standing water, which means that it could damage undercarriage components or flood the brakes. When driving above 35 miles per hour on wet pavement, hydroplaning can occur. This means tires lose contact with the road and start sliding on top of the water. In addition to watching your speed, follow the tracks created by the car in front of you. Their tires would have displaced the water to create a safer path. 

3. Don’t Use Cruise Control

Many drivers rely on cruise control to maintain a consistent speed. This setting allows you to take your foot off the accelerator and maintain the same speed. As you’ll need to slow your speed at any given second, turn off cruise control when it rains. This reduces the risk that you’ll hydroplane and lose control of the vehicle.

To ensure that your car is safe to drive during seasonal showers, contact the experienced technicians at You Save Auto Repair. Based in Covington, KY, and serving motorists throughout Kenton County, their technicians will check tire pressure and tread depth, provide transmission and brake repair, upgrade car parts, and perform additional tasks to improve the condition of your vehicle. View a full range of services online and call (859) 360-3465 today to schedule an appointment. Find additional tips for improving driver safety on Facebook.