Next time you get in the car to run errands in the rain, make sure to buckle your seatbelt, position your mirrors ... and turn off your radio?It sounds too simple to be effective, but Texas state trooper Jean Dark says turning off your radio is one small thing you can do that may have a big impact on your safety behind the wheel. Especially with rainy spring weather just around the corner, a few tricks to update your driving technique might be the ticket to you having a sunny spring.Dark, who has 18 years of trooper experience, says most rain-related driving mistakes can be attributed to overconfidence. Taking the time to learn some new driving lessons can go a long way in staying safe on the road at any age.“Just because you’ve been driving 30, 40, 50 years, that doesn’t make you an expert,” Dark says. “Don’t be overconfident – you never know what might be around the next bend.”Skip cruise controlWhat’s the first thing you do when you want to turn off your cruise control? If you’re like most people, you tap your brakes. But Dark says if you hit a puddle on a wet road and start hydroplaning, that tap of the brakes can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. “It all comes back to stopping,” she notes. “How quickly can you spot a potential hazard and have enough time to slow down?” It is best just not to turn on the cruise control in the rain.Turn off that radioSomething as simple as a radio really can be enough of a distraction to cause your focus and your control of the car to waver. So Dark suggests turning off the radio, putting your cell phone down, and turning all of your attention to the road ahead. “Slow down yourself, slow down your brain,” she states. “Just focus on the task at hand.”Give your tires a kickYour car’s tires play an especially important role when roads are slick. An overinflated tire will have less contact with the road, making it more likely you will hydroplane. An over-worn tire will have the same problem. Meanwhile an underinflated tire won’t wear properly and will be too cushiony on the road, also affecting your driving. Regular maintenance, either by a professional or yourself, will keep your tires in top shape.Forget the speed limitThose speed limit signs you see are a maximum speed, not a minimum. In rainy weather, Dark recommends staying under the limit and taking your time.“Anytime there’s an issue with the roadway surface, whether it be rain, or sand, or ice, you have to understand your stopping distance is going to be greater,” she says. “If you’re trying to stop on wet road surfaces and you jam on your brakes, you’re going to slide, so you have to reduce speed in inclement weather.”So, while you might be a in hurry to get out of the rain, in your car it’s best to take your time. “I can’t tell you how many people have said to me ‘But I was doing the speed limit. How did this happen?’” Dark says. “Just because the speed limit says 70 doesn’t mean it’s safe in the rain.”
