Usually, winter means snow and sleet and occasionally some freezing rain. But this year winter has been pretty mild in Connecticut which has led to a lot of heavy rain. While you have spent a lot of time driving in the rain, every driver could use a refresher on the safest way to drive in a deluge:
Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers
Even though the rain is light, and the road is visible, you should always use your windshield wipers because you would not want water to accumulate and impair your vision. Under heavy rainfall it is not easy to see, especially when there is a waterfall in your windshield. Keep your headlights on so that other vehicles can easily spot you.
Reduce your speed
When driving in the rain you typically want to get off the road as soon as possible. Refrain from making the mistake of speeding. You could find yourself going into a slide and momentarily losing vision, or worse, hydroplaning.
Understand the dangers of hydroplaning
Just a slight dampness on the road can cause your vehicle to hydroplane. This is a terrifying phenomenon wherein your tires lose contact with the surface of the road due to water, and you lose all vehicle control. It will feel like your vehicle is airborne and you have no choice but to wait for the tires to reattach to the surface of the road.
When your vehicle is hydroplaning, you may panic as you lose control of the steering wheel. Do not step on the gas or the brakes; doing either may cause you to skid off the road instead of going toward your initial direction. To avoid hydroplaning try not to drive through puddles, but if you must, do so as slowly as possible.
Avoid tailgating other vehicles
Do not drive too near vehicles on the road. Keeping a safe distance between you and those around you will allow more room for your brakes to kick in. It is harder to stop your vehicle in the pouring rain.
Always maintain a lower speed and higher distance. The further you are from other vehicles, the easier it will be to keep others safe from harm’s way. You are the captain of your ship, and if it crashes into others due to harsh weather conditions the captain is still responsible.
