5 Things You Need to Know About Car Safety With Rain

1. Slick Road Ahead

Driving in the rain is tricky because it isn't only the visibility that becomes an issue, but the slippery roads and pooling water. A wet road is much more slippery than a dry one. There's a film of liquid between your tires and the asphalt so the tires lose traction and adherence to the road. For that reason, you should leave more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front of you when driving on wet roads. Hit your brakes earlier but with less force than normal to increase your stopping distance and warn the car behind you that you're slowing down. As you approach curves and turns in the road, slow down to prevent your car from hydroplaning.

2. Slow Down

Rainy days are not the time to be running late and speeding to your location. Give yourself extra time to get where you have to go. Keep in mind there will be traffic and you should be driving slower. Stick to the middle of the road if possible, because there is less likelihood there will be deep puddles or standing water. Most of America's roads are raised up higher in the middle to allow for proper water runoff. If you notice a large pool of water on the road, try to drive around it if possible. There's no way to judge just how deep it is. If water get into your engine compartment, you can do quite a job on your vehicle's internal electrical systems. Don't try to cross running water because you don't know how fast it's going. You're vehicle is not indestructible, even if it's an SUV or truck. The water may be rushing faster than the weight of your vehicle can handle. After you drive through a puddle, lightly tap on your brake pedal to dry some of the water off your rotors.

3. Light up The Road

Turn on your headlights when driving in the rain. This also applies if it's still daytime. The headlights will help you see the road better and help other drivers see you. If the rain is accompanied by fog, turn on your low beams to keep the light from reflecting back at you and blind you. When you're driving in the rain, it can be really easy to get tunnel vision and not see what's happening around you. You're so busy staring at the road that you may miss pedestrians. Keep your eyes open for people on the sides of the road. If the rain gets so bad that you really can't see anything, including the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out. It's not worth getting into a potentially deadly accident.

4. Funnel the Rain Away

Get yourself a good pair of tires to help you handle the wet roads better. Goodyear engineers invented the Aquatred tire after listening customers say they wanted a tire that handles rain-soaked roads better. You don't have to go with Goodyear, there are many tire manufacturers with at least one style of tire that has wide center grooves and a tread pattern designed to whisk water away. Car maintenance is also important so that your car functions better in the rain. Routinely check the tire pressure, brakes, defroster and wipers so they are in top shape in case of a deluge.

5. Newer is Better and Safer

Little will help you when you're driving in the rain more than a good set of windshield wiper blades. But it's important to note that windshield wipers aren't meant to last forever. You should change them twice a year or every 6,000 miles for the best results. Studies show, though, that the average driver only changes their wiper blades every few years. Many people are driving around with wipers that are frayed or cracked, so they're not working properly. Changing the rubber blade portion is a simple thing to do. Even the least vehicle-savvy people can handle it, just follow the instructions on the package.