Safety techniques for wet weather driving

Late winter driving brings a dangerous mix of driving conditions. Longer, warmer days create changeable road conditions that may start out as morning icing and turn into afternoon slush.

How can you prepare your vehicle for rainy weather driving? What basic techniques help drivers maintain control of their vehicle?

“Tread depth is important in rain,” said Mark Cox of the Bridgestone Driving School. “A new tire will give the best performance. A tire worn that far has no place on wet pavement.”

Many rain hazards can be avoided, including hydroplaning, which occurs when water comes between your tires and the road.

Driver awareness and reactions are compounded by poor driving conditions. How can you improve the safety of you and your passengers when driving in wet weather?

Cox offered the following tips for driving on wet roads:

• Look for road hazards such as potholes and depressions where water collects. The deeper the water, the more likely your vehicle will hydroplane; that is, it may glide along a thin sheet of water between the road and the tire.

   

• If your vehicle begins to slide, grasp the steering wheel firmly and slowly release the gas pedal.

   

• Brake smoothly; releasing the brake too quickly can unbalance the vehicle.

   

• Replace worn wiper blades to provide better visibility in heavy precipitation and in low light conditions.

   

• Allow extra following distance to give yourself time for reacting to sudden changes in road conditions and other vehicles

   

• Use your headlights whenever using your wipers. You’ll see the road better and others will see you, too.

   

• At night use your low beams to reduce glare and improve visibility.