Wet-Weather Driving Tips

The combination of rain, fog, and early darkness in winter causes thousands of car accidents every year. Here are a few commonsense driving tips that can help you avoid wet-weather accidents.
Drive slowly

The most important thing you can do to prevent an accident on a slick roadway is to slow down. When you drive slowly, a greater amount of your tire's tread will be on the road, resulting in better traction. It will also keep you from driving through hidden puddles at a high speed, which can splash water into your car's engine, causing it to stall.

Try to drive at a steady pace and avoid jerky movements when braking, accelerating, or turning. And avoid passing other cars, especially at night.

Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you

It takes up to three times longer to stop on wet roads. This is true even if your tires are good-quality wet-weather tires. So don't tailgate, and be alert for brake lights on the car in front of you. You should also put on your headlights so that other cars can see you.

Know what to do if your car starts skidding or hydroplaning

If you lose control of your car in wet weather and it begins to skid, don't slam on the brakes. Instead, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner, and steer in the direction of the skid. For cars that have antilock brakes, you should apply more pressure (steady) to the brakes, but avoid pumping them.

Hydroplaning occurs when your tires glide across the surface of the water on the road. If your car starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, but don't stomp on the brakes. Instead, if you have a manual transmission (i.e. stick shift), push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own. If you have an automatic transmission, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes.

Don't drive if you're tired or distracted

Driving in wet weather requires you to be very alert, particularly at night. If you're tired, pull off the road to a safe place and take a break, or better yet, postpone your trip entirely if you can. You should also avoid eating, drinking, talking on the phone, fiddling with the radio, or handing items to children in the back seat--anything where you need to take one or both hands off the steering wheel momentarily.

Prepare for wet weather by checking your tires

Check your tires regularly for tread wear. If you have any doubt about your tires' ability to perform in the rain--a tread depth of less than 1/16th of an inch is inadequate--visit your mechanic or tire center. It's also important to maintain the correct tire pressure. You can find the correct pressure for your car in the owner's manual or inside the door edge. Make sure your tires are properly balanced and aligned at regular intervals, too. And if you live in an area where there's a lot of wet weather, you may want to invest in a tire that's specifically designed for slippery road conditions.