Driving in the Rain Safety Tips (2024)

One of the most difficult things to face on the road is wet weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s a heavy thunderstorm or just a light drizzle – rain can make the roads dangerous at any time. There are clear statistics showing that rain increases the rate of traffic accidents in every part of the country. Knowing how rain affects the roads, how other drivers are likely to react to wet roads, and how best to protect yourself, are the keys to keeping yourself safe while driving in the rain.

Slow Down

The number one thing you can do to stay safe in rainy driving conditions is to slow down. A car can hydroplane (meaning coast over top of the water, rather than touching the road, which can lead to skidding off the road) at as little as 40 miles per hour. If you are on a highway, be prepared to slow down, and put on your hazard lights if you think the rain may stop a car behind you from seeing you soon enough. It’s not safe to use cruise control in the rain, because the vehicle could easily hydroplane without a person behind the wheel to feel the change.

Follow Traffic Laws

Most states do have laws that state that your car headlights must be on if your windshield wipers are on. So if it’s raining, turn on those lights. This increases the chance that you’ll be seen by other cars and makes it easier for you to see other cars and obstacles as well. Another traffic law is that you must use windshield wipers to keep your line of sight clear when it is raining heavily. You can also do things like having your car waxed so that rain beads off the car, but be sure to use the wipers to keep the view clear.

While this isn’t a law per se, having a clear windshield is part of driving safely. To prevent a foggy window during a rainstorm, be sure to use the fan mode on the car’s air conditioning to move air around. This pulls fog off the windshield and windows so that you can see through them.

Do a Check Before You Leave

If you know you have to drive in the rain soon, be sure to do an inspection of your car. Check that the windshield wipers work perfectly and that the vehicle’s tires have a good amount of tread. Bald tires are not very grippy and will slide on wet roads. Give all the lights, especially the brake lights and emergency flashing lights, a test. Make sure that you have your seatbelt on, and check that none of your mirrors are fogging up or are blocked by rain. Because the rain could be very loud, it’s often a good idea to drive without loud music, so that you can hear potential cars honking or other traffic signals. This quick checklist will help you stay safe on the road anytime the weather is looking wet. Most of these tips apply for snow and ice as well.

What to Do About Braking

One of the biggest things that causes accidents in the rain is braking. The key to braking in the rain is to give yourself way more time than you need and to do it slowly. Ease your vehicle to a stop by slowly pressing the brake down, or letting gravity and air resistance do the work by taking your foot off the gas. Be sure to leave enough space between your car and another car so that you don’t have to slam on the brakes if they do.

If you are braking and your car begins to slide, the best thing that you can do is to take your foot off the pedal and to steer carefully and gently into the direction of the skid. Don’t slam on the brakes or pull the wheels sharply to the other side in response. Don’t use cruise control when its wet out, because that can make you lose control more easily. You may have heard to pump your brakes instead of slamming on them, but there’s no evidence to suggest that pumping brakes is better for their grip.

Avoid Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is when the car tires are more in contact with a body of water than they are with the ground. This can lead to dangerous slippage and skidding around. This can happen any time you drive too fast, or if you drive over a large puddle of water that is deep, so try to avoid big puddles if you can see them and slow down in wet conditions. If you do feel yourself start to hydroplane, let off the gas slowly and keep the car pointed straight until the tires reconnect with the road. Some people have learned to pump their brakes rather than slamming on them, which could help, but it’s not a foolproof tip. In many cases, if you can, it’s best to avoid the break and allow the car to slow down due to gravity, friction, and air resistance, without using the brake at all.

Pay Attention to Others

One thing to pay close attention to on a wet road is the other vehicles around you. You’ll want to know where they are, so you can avoid getting too close to them. You should also pay attention to the way weather is impacting larger vehicles. If the weather is very windy and gusty, a big rig truck could be on the verge of tipping over. Watch for cars that are struggling to stay in their lane, and give them space until you can safely pass. Remember that most people are just driving out of habit. They aren’t thinking about what they need to do to be safe in the rain – they are just going through their usual routine. By staying alert yourself, you prevent their bad habits from harming you. Pay attention to any car that is about to drive over a wet spot, and back away from them on the road when you can.

Don’t Panic

The worst thing you can do in a wet weather driving situation is to panic. This leads to over-correcting a turn, slamming on the brakes, getting too close to other drivers, going too fast, and more. It’s best to stay calm and remember what you’ve learned about the best ways to drive. Do things one at a time. Brake first, then change lanes, then accelerate again – rather than trying to change lanes and accelerate at the same time. And if you feel uncomfortable with driving in the rain, simply don’t. It’s better to pull over somewhere and wait the rain out, rather than hurrying to your destination unsafely. There is nowhere you have to be that is worth your life, so be careful on those wet roads. If you don’t feel as though you can see or control your car, find a place to sit till the worst is over.

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