Sorry it's been a while but today I wanted to share some tips and advice about driving in the rain.
Just like driving in the snow, driving in the rain presents some similar driving hazards, such as decreased visibility and slick roads.
Several factors contribute to decreased visibility while driving in the rain. The most obvious factor is, 99 percent of the time, it's a pretty cloudy overcast day. Road spray from the vehicle in front of you, poor wiper blades, rain on your mirrors, and driving without your lights on to name a few.
Driving with your lights on is not necessarily going to help you see better, but to help others see you. I drive approximately 2500 miles a week and there have been countless times while driving in the rain that I haven't seen the vehicle coming up behind me or passing me because they didn't have their lights on. It's a very dangerous thing. If that person can't see you, they may decide to change lanes and run you off of the road or you could possibly be rear ended because your tail lights aren't on. Which brings me to another point, just because your vehicle has day time running lights, doesn't mean your tail lights are on. Take a second and rotate the knob one or two clicks to make sure all of your lights are on. Go out to your driveway and turn your ignition on, walk around the front of your vehicle and see if your head lights come on then walk around to the back and see if your tail lights are on also. On my personal vehicle, my headlights are on but not my tail lights. Check your lights frequently before you drive. A bulb can burn out at any time even on a brand new vehicle. Don't forget to check your turn signals and emergency flashers.
Everyone knows that oil and water do not mix. Oil floats to the surface of water. Years ago when I took the test to get my license, one of the questions was,
when are the roads slickest in rain? Roads are the slickest during rain immediately after it starts raining. Blacktop has a high oil content and older vehicles that may be leaking oil or transmission fluid adds to the oil on the road. All of that oil rises to the surface potentially causing the roads to be slick as ice. Standing water on the roadway can cause lack of traction that can result in hydroplaning. Be careful driving on shaded two lane roads when it's raining, especially in Autumn when leaves are falling, because wet leaves can be as slick as ice. Tires with low tread can result in loss of traction, even on a dry road.
Over the past several years, safety features in vehicles have become as important as reducing vehicle emissions. Remember, when you are behind the wheel, you are the most important safety feature of that vehicle.
When driving in the rain, give yourself extra time, slow down, increase your following distance, and decrease your distractions. Turn your radio down, don't text, don't use cruise control, and don't talk on your phone, especially without a hands free device.
Your life or the life of someone you love, depends on you being safe.
Just like driving in the snow, driving in the rain presents some similar driving hazards, such as decreased visibility and slick roads.
Several factors contribute to decreased visibility while driving in the rain. The most obvious factor is, 99 percent of the time, it's a pretty cloudy overcast day. Road spray from the vehicle in front of you, poor wiper blades, rain on your mirrors, and driving without your lights on to name a few.
Driving with your lights on is not necessarily going to help you see better, but to help others see you. I drive approximately 2500 miles a week and there have been countless times while driving in the rain that I haven't seen the vehicle coming up behind me or passing me because they didn't have their lights on. It's a very dangerous thing. If that person can't see you, they may decide to change lanes and run you off of the road or you could possibly be rear ended because your tail lights aren't on. Which brings me to another point, just because your vehicle has day time running lights, doesn't mean your tail lights are on. Take a second and rotate the knob one or two clicks to make sure all of your lights are on. Go out to your driveway and turn your ignition on, walk around the front of your vehicle and see if your head lights come on then walk around to the back and see if your tail lights are on also. On my personal vehicle, my headlights are on but not my tail lights. Check your lights frequently before you drive. A bulb can burn out at any time even on a brand new vehicle. Don't forget to check your turn signals and emergency flashers.
Everyone knows that oil and water do not mix. Oil floats to the surface of water. Years ago when I took the test to get my license, one of the questions was,
when are the roads slickest in rain? Roads are the slickest during rain immediately after it starts raining. Blacktop has a high oil content and older vehicles that may be leaking oil or transmission fluid adds to the oil on the road. All of that oil rises to the surface potentially causing the roads to be slick as ice. Standing water on the roadway can cause lack of traction that can result in hydroplaning. Be careful driving on shaded two lane roads when it's raining, especially in Autumn when leaves are falling, because wet leaves can be as slick as ice. Tires with low tread can result in loss of traction, even on a dry road.
Over the past several years, safety features in vehicles have become as important as reducing vehicle emissions. Remember, when you are behind the wheel, you are the most important safety feature of that vehicle.
When driving in the rain, give yourself extra time, slow down, increase your following distance, and decrease your distractions. Turn your radio down, don't text, don't use cruise control, and don't talk on your phone, especially without a hands free device.
Your life or the life of someone you love, depends on you being safe.
