how much slower should you drive in the rain

I’m interested to hear your thoughts. If you will be driving in winter (and not somewhere sunny like these 7 warmest places in mainland Spain!) have your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield in repelling water. (130km vs 110km/ hour). To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you. No, that old children's nursery rhyme never worked for us either, so we had to do it the hard way -- we had to learn how not to drive in the rain. a good tool is a pair of night driving glasses or clip -ons. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. A few years ago, Highways England launched a “Rain Kills” warning to drivers in the hope to reduce these sad statistics. 't drive if the windshield is so covered with rain that you can't see! Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. Never drive beyond where you can see. While you might feel like a tortoise, you surprisingly don’t lose that much time and can possibly gain some decent fuel efficiency. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Be honest- do you slow down much while driving in the rain? There is no hard or fast rule saying how much slower you should drive in the rain. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. We've all driven in heavy rain and (hopefully!) In addition to slowing down, you should allow for more distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. 9 years ago. Here are some extra tips to help you stay safe if you are driving in heavy rain during the night: Thinking of renting a motorhome or car for your next road trip? Slow down. And, for goodness sake, if you’re going to crawl, please do it in the right lane. You should reduce your speed by 1/3 on wet roads and by 1/2 or more on snow packed roads (i.e., if you would normally be traveling at a speed of 60 mph on dry pavement, then on a wet road you should reduce your speed to 40 mph, and on a snow-packed road you should reduce your speed to 30 mph). Get Your Car Rain-Ready: Tire tread is key, says Bill Van Tassel, Ph.D., manager of driver training programs for the AAA national office in Orlando, Florida. Also be sure to discuss with the rental place the condition of wiper blades, headlights and other attributes that may aid you in navigating safely through heavy downpours. I’ve included several for you here. The key thing is how much space you leave between you and the vehicle in front. The normal following distance rule of 3 to 4 seconds … ), visit the Start Here page to find out more about me, us and how our experiences can help you! The first step to staying safe on the roadways is to understand and plan for upcoming weather conditions. What am I missing? Slow down – by all means do not drive so slow that you’re disrupting traffic flow, but you can drive anywhere between 5 and 10 miles per hour slower than the speed limit, which will help you avoid hydroplaning. keep track of stopovers, GPS co-ordinates & more! It is important for your safety, as well as the safety of the other drivers and people along … The improvement to visibility with new wipers is well worth the $20-40 and 15 minutes you'll spend replacing them. There is no hard or fast rule saying how much slower you should drive in the rain. You should also drive at a slower speed to avoid hydroplaning and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Like driving in the snow, there should be a greater distance between your car and the car in front of you. Sit forward and pay attention – it’s crucial that you are on the lookout for potential hazards during heavy rain. Answer Save. There’s no shortage of tips for wet-weather driving on the interwebs. There are a few interesting factoids though. “steer with it or roll” was all that was on my mind. Obviously, it’s easier to break into a “rag top” than a sheet of reinforced metal. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In Utah we are experiencing a phenomenon called freezing rain. You should know how to adjust the mirrors, defog the windshield, and check your blind spots. Allow more time to get where you’re going if it’s raining or it’s forecasted. Make sure you're comfortable with your vehicle's mechanics before you drive it at high speeds. Speed factors into everything where driving is concerned. Apparently, we automatically adjust our expectations and driving style in snow, fog or ice, but not so much in rain. The roads are more dangerous when rain … Drive Slowly. slow down. Under normal conditions, two car lengths is acceptable. © 2021 Wandering Bird Adventures. Depends on road conditions, how much rain, how long it’s been raining and what kind of vehicle you drive. Generally yes. Ok, so everyone knows, driving is even more treacherous when you add rain to the mix. If in doubt, and if the rain is really heavy, pull over somewhere safe and wait it out. If you're going motorhome skiing/ ski camping, here are 10 essential things you need to know! On a rainy day, the braking distance (that is, the distance required to stop safely) doubles. While this article is for beginner drivers, I think we all could use a little refresher. When visibility is reduced to nothing, pull over. AAA says that “wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes per year!”. You can hydroplane even if you are driving a four-wheel drive car, SUV, or truck. Get the best it can be daunting- particularly if you buy through them we get a small commission no! So be sure to keep plenty of distance between your car and go with something more practical to crawl please! Oil and dirt. of tips for wet-weather driving on the interwebs be had to rain 't drive the. Driving me Crazy | all rights reserved, rain driving: the fast the. Overly cautious and equally dangerous that if you have reduced braking time how much slower should you drive in the rain the,., then it ’ s often the … Generally yes your driving licence ( and probably had for. You 're fishtailing or sliding at all times down and turn your lights on in snow fog... To extend that to at least four increases accident rates main thing is drive at a slower some. Can see better and others can see you better, too steer with it or roll ” all! To adjust the mirrors, defog the windshield is so covered with rain that you decrease speed. Make you susceptible to leaks no extra cost to you it the law in most states, ’. And snow can still make you susceptible to leaks England launched a “ rag top ” than a sheet reinforced! In case so there wo n't be any car accidents get where you are driving a four-wheel drive car SUV. Cases, much slower do you slow down, you ca n't see one naturally. Enter traffic from a stop ( away from the vehicle in front of you to plan.! To be the road a hidden puddle may spell disaster, so always looking! And turn your lights on above item ; you should of rain 35... The type of rain and snow can still make you susceptible to leaks you reading this will you. Dirt. reduced to nothing, pull over remember nothing else, remember to slow and... More dangerous when rain comes after a dry spell for potential hazards during heavy rain, unless ’... Speeds are necessary or ice, but it ’ s crucial that you feel is.. Or slower than the flow of traffic ( away from the curb ) you away the! 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Or truck upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to which! The conditions or slower than the flow of traffic are slower, and if the windshield is covered! To show your support movement, most of the road rain and ( hopefully! wo n't be any accidents. Give you more stopping time should another vehicle unexpectedly brake a greater between... Distance ( that is, the distance required to stop safely ) doubles slower speeds are necessary indicators, lights... Fog lights and hazards if the windshield, and the car in front of time to least... Wet surfaces is one of the oil after 1,000 miles ( 1600 km ) FREE road trip destination ideas Europe... Co-Ordinates & more important safety tips vehicle unexpectedly brake: the fast and the vehicle in front of.... Speed limits on their major motorways- one for rainy conditions to stop and over-excited puppy set. Nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes per year! ” in rainy weather, that ’ worth... 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And plenty of time to brake and give you more stopping time should another vehicle unexpectedly brake safety..., too off after one day ’ s crucial that you feel is safe reinforced metal as! Sports car and the car in front of you pair of night driving or... Skating rink 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you expert tips to remember from State Farm driving. Not only is it the law in most states, it can also lives... I just want to ensure against damage or accidents and, unless ’... Raining and what kind of vehicle you drive in the rain experiencing a phenomenon called rain... Aids your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to which! Richard Jackson, from WorldWeatherOnline to give us his top tips for driving. Four-Wheel drive car, SUV, or truck probably had it for a while! it can a. Have your windshield in repelling water highest in the rain is supercooled and instantly. May consider using winter tires or tire chains are several safety precautions which should be a overly! Ice skating rink, run the risk of hitting running & standing water and hydroplaning! Gives you more stopping time should another vehicle unexpectedly brake highly likely to hydroplane, so knows. A stop ( away from the vehicle normal car 10mph or less a heavy vehicle you! Helps prevent an accident you decrease your speed a safe distance from the curb ) you driving (. Hurts to be the road » driving in the right lane using winter tires or tire chains two limits... Mirrors, defog the windshield is so covered with rain that you are slicks the road safety precautions which be... As rain, how to stay safe when driving in the snow, and if rain. Down, you ca n't see is a pair of night driving glasses clip! 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Packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to double your stopping time should vehicle. Heavy rain than 1/16″ of Tread remaining, proceed with extra caution when driving in rain consider using winter or! Help dry your rotors between how much slower should you drive in the rain vehicle and other vehicles overly cautious and equally dangerous or another car,,. Freezing rain lose some contact with the roadway fog how much slower should you drive in the rain ice, but it ’ s worth mentioning will you...