Is it safe to drive in heavy rain?
Getting stuck driving in heavy rains can be a scary experience. Your car could hydroplane, it’s harder to brake quickly and accidents are much more common. Here are some tips for safe driving in a rainstorm.
Is it dangerous to go over the speed limit in rain?
Even doing the speed limit can be dangerous in rain, especially very heavy rain. The key thing is how much space you leave between you and the vehicle in front. Stopping distances are increased substantially (over twice as long) when the road surface is wet- that’s assuming you can stop and the car doesn’t just aquaplane if you brake too hard.
What should you do when it’s raining on the road?
You should always drive at or even below the speed limit when it’s raining, especially on the highway. Slowing down will help you avoid hydroplaning and will make it easier to brake if there is an incident on the road. Tailgating cars and riding bumpers is always dangerous, but it’s particularly bad during a storm.
What to do if you have to drive in wet weather?
If you must drive, there are a handful of steps you can take to reduce your chances of an accident or breakdown in wet weather. Firstly it is always advisable to consider before you set off whether your journey is essential. If not, can it be delayed until after the rain has subsided?
Getting stuck driving in heavy rains can be a scary experience. Your car could hydroplane, it’s harder to brake quickly and accidents are much more common. Here are some tips for safe driving in a rainstorm.
What happens to a car in heavy rain?
In addition to the potentially poor visibility that accompanies most heavy rain, drivers should be ready to protect themselves against hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur when a vehicle is traveling too fast in heavy rain conditions, causing the vehicle’s tires to travel on a thin layer of water rather than grip the surface of the road.
When to reduce your speed in heavy rain?
By reducing your speed, you’ll have more time to react if another car loses control or you encounter a huge puddle. This is when your vehicle travels or glides on top of the water and has no, or very little, contact with the ground. When this happens, you lose or significantly reduce your traction, so you shouldn’t make any sudden motions.
You should always drive at or even below the speed limit when it’s raining, especially on the highway. Slowing down will help you avoid hydroplaning and will make it easier to brake if there is an incident on the road. Tailgating cars and riding bumpers is always dangerous, but it’s particularly bad during a storm.