Driving in the rain and how to handle it

Driving under normal conditions is already daunting. Regardless of whether the road is perfectly paved, one miscalculated turn can lead to a driving disaster and, worst, injury. Adding adverse weather conditions just makes driving more challenging. 

A downpour impairs your vision. It’s hard to see what’s in front of you through the windshield and what’s behind and beside you through the side mirrors. Roads get extremely slippery, too, and proper vehicle control is necessary. At the same time, bad weather adds to driving anxiety. The last thing you want is a panic attack when you're behind the wheel. 

To avoid accidents, here are some things you can do when it’s raining and you need to drive. 

Wait it out

If possible, don’t drive when it’s raining for the reasons stated above. If the trip can be postponed for a bit, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Check your car

If it’s really necessary for you to go, then it’s mandatory to check if your car is in its top shape. Check the lights and windshield wipers if they are properly functioning. The tires must be in good shape too. Balding tires are the perfect recipe for hydroplaning. The grooves on the tires are there to push water away from the tires. If your tires are already balding, then the contact between the wet road and the tire creates a film of water that causes the tires to lose traction. 

Turn on your headlights

As the downpour can cause visibility issues, turning on your headlights can be a big help. It helps other drivers see you better. In fact, it is required in many states to do this when driving in the rain. 

Drive slow

This should be common knowledge. When the road is slippery, you don’t see clearly, slow down. Your vehicle’s movement is unpredictable due to the added constraints added by the rain, the last thing you want is to lose control. 

Leave a space distance between you and other cars

Slippery roads make braking difficult. To ensure that you won’t cause any problem to other drivers, it’s best to maintain a safe distance.    Benign several cars; length away from another vehicle won’t hurt. 

Avoid standing water

You will notice how standing water collects in some parts of the road when it rains. If you safely can, avoid them. This is to avoid hydroplaning. In case your car is hydroplaning, release the gas and don’t slam on your brake. Carefully steer the car where it needs to go. Don't make sudden turns. 

Make sure your car is properly ventilated

The rain can cause the insides of your car to collect moisture when not properly ventilated. It can distract you from driving if you need to wipe on the windshield so you can see better. 

Because driving in the rain is dangerous, it is understandably daunting. However, panicking won’t help. Stay as calm as you can in case you find yourself in a situation where you need to drive in the rain.