A Texans’ Guide to Driving in the Rain

By theadmin

Driving in the rain might be more dangerous in Texas than anywhere in the country. According to the Department of Transportation, rainfall is the second largest contributor to weather-related car accidents in Texas. There are various explanations for this, but one thing’s for certain: With more preparation and smarter driving habits, more Texans could avoid causing an accident, vehicle damage, and possibly even a fatality on the road when it’s raining.

Prepare Your Vehicle

It’s wettest in Texas between March and May, so you’ll want to check these items off your to-do list before the rainy season hits.

Replace your windshield wipers. Standard windshield wiper blades typically last between six and 12 months, but budget blades can expire even quicker. As soon as you notice streaking or squeaking, that’s your signal that your wipers need swapping. And if your car has a rear window wiper, don’t forget to check that too.

Check your treads and tire pressure. Bald tires — that is, tires with worn-out treads — are a nightmare while driving in the rain and create a considerable risk of hydroplaning in slick conditions. One way to check whether your tire has good traction is by using the penny test: Take a penny and place it inside the tread, with President Abraham Lincoln aiming “headfirst.” If you can see the top of Abe’s head, your treads are too low, and it’s time to replace your tires.

You should also make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure level, usually indicated inside the door by the driver’s seat. If the PSI is too low or too high, you won’t have good traction or control, increasing your risk of skidding in the rain.

Test your headlights. Texas state law requires that your headlights be on while driving in the rain, even during the day. Make sure all your vehicle’s lights (headlights, running lights, brake lights, and high beams) are working at proper brightness levels to remain safe and seen on the road.

Tips For Driving In The Rain

While it’s always important to keep these driving habits in mind, it’s especially crucial to implement these best practices during inclement weather to keep yourself and others safe on the road.

Drive slow and steady. Hydroplaning can happen at speeds as low as 35 mph — possibly lower if you’re making sharp or sudden turns. Reduce your speed when it’s raining and be especially cautious while it’s raining hard. Even if you’re smart at driving in the rain, other drivers on the road might not be. The slower you’re going, the more time you have to brake.

Distance yourself from other vehicles. Slick streets mean you’ll take longer to brake, especially at highway speeds. Put extra distance between yourself and cars on the road. Typically, you should stay three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. However, when it’s raining, extend that to five or six seconds to give yourself more stopping distance. Avoid driving directly alongside, ahead of, or behind other vehicles — again, you should never assume other drivers know how to navigate through rainy weather safely.

Turn off cruise control. You’re a better judge of road conditions than your vehicle. Keep cruise control (and, if you have them, any autopilot features) off while it’s raining so you can manually slow down and speed up as necessary. Cruise control is especially and incredibly dangerous if you start hydroplaning, which can result in a high-speed skid right off the road.

What to Do When Hydroplaning

Sometimes, hydroplaning is inevitable. But if you’ve been following the previous tips (driving slowly while keeping your distance from other vehicles), there’s no need to panic. In fact, panicking will only make the situation worse.

If you feel your vehicle going into a slide:

Don’t:

Slam on your brakes.
Spin your steering wheel back and forth.

Do:

Take your foot off the gas and let your car slow down on its own. If you need to brake, apply a gentle tap.
Hold your wheel steady to avoid losing further control. If your car is heading for an object or another vehicle, gently steer away from it.

Safely driving in the rain starts with safe tires. Check out our guide to see which type of tires is right for your vehicle.