Home / Driving in the Rain In Austin, How to Do It Safely in
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If you live where it regularly rains during the year, you have probably wondered how to drive your car safely on rainy days. Driving in the rain can be a difficult task, especially for the inexperienced. Hitting one puddle or hydroplaning can be disastrous, but if you understand how to drive safely during the rain, you will significantly reduce your risk of getting into an accident.
1- Drive Below the Speed Limit
When driving in heavy rain or snow conditions, or when there is a heavy amount of traffic on the road, always drive slower than the speed limit. This will help keep you safe and avoid accidents. Some drivers feel like they can drive the same speed in the rain as they would on a dry day, but that is not true. Driving in the rain is different from driving on a dry day. Rain can reduce your visibility, making it harder to apply the brake and make hydroplanes on wet roads easier.
Limiting your car’s speed will help you drive safely in the rain. It will give you more time to react if something unexpected happens, and it will also help you avoid hydroplaning. If you do hydroplane, driving slower will ensure that you do not lose control of your vehicle when this happens.
2- Inspect Your Car’s Tires to Drive Safely in the Rain
Vehicle tires are essential at all times, but they become even more so during wet weather. In wet conditions, under-inflated tires can hydroplane. This occurs when the grooves in tires cannot channel water away from the tire quickly enough, and water is pushed up between the tire and roadway surface. This creates a pushing effect that causes a vehicle to slide across the road rather than grip it and maintain traction.
Having your tires inspected before going on a road trip on a rainy day can save you money in costly repairs and, more importantly, help you drive safely in the rain when you are travelling long distances.
3- Turn on Windshield Wipers to Drive Safely in the Rain
When it rains, if your windshield is wet, it can be hard to see the road ahead, especially during night-time—turning your windshield wipers on when sprinkling can help you get a better view of the road and drive safer, especially if you are driving at night. If you see a sudden downpour while on the road, turn on your windshield wipers immediately to help increase visibility and drive safely in the rain.
4- Avoid Heavy Braking to Drive Safely in the Rain
While it is never a good idea to drive fast, heavy braking is even more dangerous during the rain. To avoid hydroplaning, do not accelerate or brake suddenly. Braking puts you at risk for hydroplaning, which happens when a layer of water forms between your tires and the road. When you hydroplane, you lose control of your car as you slide across the water. The best way to drive safely in the rain is to brake gently and early before coming to a complete stop.
5- Allow Ventilation in Your Car
Ventilating the exhaust fumes from your car is essential when driving in the rain. The reason for this is that these fumes collect inside your vehicle over time, especially if you have a cold engine, and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be potentially lethal, as carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is difficult to detect. Carbon monoxide can cause headaches and nausea. If left untreated, it can damage your heart, nervous system, and brain.
To prevent this from happening and drive safely in the rain, open all the windows in your car before starting to drive. Also, remember to ventilate your car for at least five minutes each time you are about to drive in the rain or start a cold engine.
6- Turn on Headlights to Drive Safely in the Rain
Turning on your headlights during a heavy rainstorm is another simple way to make sure you can see where you are going. It is also one of the easiest ways to let others know you’re there. Some states have laws that require drivers to turn on their headlights when driving through rain or fog.
Rainy days can be unpredictable, and you need to prepare yourself for the worst situations. It is crucial to remember that not all drivers are as experienced as you are, so be prepared for surprises. If you keep all the above factors in mind, there are fewer chances of any mishap happening and you can drive safely in the rain in Austin.
Not only do we have the expertise and experience, but also the latest tools and equipment to restore your car to its pre-accident condition. We have fixed thousands of cars to date, from minor dings to serious collision damage, so we’re confident that we offer the best quality accident repair in Austin, Texas.
We also can help you with insurance claims as well as provide towing services.
If you have been in an accident and require quick assistance please call us at (512) 476-4101.
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