Even doing the speed limit can be dangerous in rain, especially very heavy rain. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. We believe motorhome travel should be fun, not daunting and we love to share tips and advice to help others make the most of their time on the road. You can hydroplane even if you are driving a four-wheel drive car, SUV, or truck. While you might feel like a tortoise, you surprisingly don’t lose that much time and can possibly gain some decent fuel efficiency. The first step to staying safe on the roadways is to understand and plan for upcoming weather conditions. In many cases, much slower speeds are necessary. ), visit the Start Here page to find out more about me, us and how our experiences can help you! Always allow greater distances to stop when the roads are wet, and allow greater distance between your cars … These are things you can do to ensure you and your passenger’s safety when driving in heavy rains during daytime or at night. If you're going motorhome skiing/ ski camping, here are 10 essential things you need to know! Answer Save. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation. When visibility is reduced to nothing, pull over. Generally yes. Keep on writing such a wonderfully informative post. If you aren't going to be using your motorhome or camper during winter, please remember to prepare it for winter storage to avoid damage which insurance companies may not cover. Plan ahead … It's a brilliant idea for a holiday (here are 12 PERFECT road trip destination ideas in Europe), but be sure to check the condition of the vehicle when you collect it. You don’t have to crawl! The improvement to visibility with new wipers is well worth the $20-40 and 15 minutes you'll spend replacing them. It happens mostly to the big trucks. slow down. keep track of stopovers, GPS co-ordinates & more! 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. Never drive beyond where you can see. 5. Depends on road conditions, how much rain, how long it’s been raining and what kind of vehicle you drive. According to Highways England, people are 30 times more likely to be killed or injured on the roads when it is raining, rather than in snow or icy conditions. There are a few interesting factoids though. I love this article and all information about driving in the rain tips that necessary to know for everyone who is driving in every season. Like driving in the snow, there should be a greater distance between your car and the car in front of you. Some countries, like France, have two speed limits on their major motorways- one for normal weather and one for rainy conditions. If there's a storm with lightning, keep in mind that you will feel temporarily blinded by these lights and adjust your speed accordingly. Ok, so everyone knows, driving is even more treacherous when you add rain to the mix. Once you have grip and outward visibility sorted, you'll want to ensure your headlights are up to snuff, too. In 2018 I quit my job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel Europe in a motorhome. Unknown roadways, sudden curves, reduced field of vision and more can be a recipe for disaster for those unprepared and not driving sensibly for the weather. If in doubt, and if the rain is really heavy, pull over somewhere safe and wait it out. You should also drive at a slower speed to avoid hydroplaning and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. have your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield in repelling water. Drive in the middle lane as much as possible to increase visibility and also avoid deep water, which tends to run off to the sides of the road. Vision is poor, reaction times are slower, and the slick road means that it can be harder to stop. Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Drive Through Floods Step 1: Before you can begin to drive through the flood water, you need to slow the car down or completely bring it to a stop. A as rule of thumb it is recommended that you decrease your speed by a third during wet conditions. Home » Road Trip Tips » Life on the Road » Driving in heavy rain- 12 important safety tips. This happens when snow falls through a warm layer of air and melts into rain, then that rain goes through a layer of colder air and lands on a surface that is below freezing. The type of rain and what the weather was like before the rain will influence the slipperiness of the road. How does rain affect how you should drive? From light rain showers to a downpour, driving in the rain can be anxiety-producing for some people. If you are in a car, make sure you know if you have traction control or not. It can be hard work driving in heavy rain, especially if you are travelling in a new location. After all, you can't avoid obstacles you can't see. I’ve included several for you here. On rain-slick roads, you’ll need extra braking distance and plenty of time to react. (130km vs 110km/ hour). In the event that you encounter bad weather while driving, remember these heavy rain safety tips: Use it to organise places to visit, plan your route. Slow down, turn on those headlights, and be extra cautious. You should know how to adjust the mirrors, defog the windshield, and check your blind spots. The day it all went wrong…, Motorhome Wild Camping in Scotland- Essential things you need to know, Devon Road Trip itinerary- 19 Beautiful places to Visit, UK Motorhome Holidays – 17 breathtaking places to explore, Hampshire & Dorset road trip- 21 beautiful places to visit, have your windshield wipers replaced with new blades. Plan ahead … Driving in the rain safety tips- before you set off, How to Stay Safe When Driving in Heavy Rain. Seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. Am I right? See Accidents: There Ain’t Nothing Good Here. Stopping distances are increased substantially (over twice as long) when the road surface is wet- that's assuming you can stop and the car doesn't just aquaplane if you brake too hard. (130km vs 110km/ hour) Driving in the rain safety tips- before you set off. Good info. Obviously, it’s easier to break into a “rag top” than a sheet of reinforced metal. High winds are riskier in my opinion when in a Motorhome from a normal car. 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. Allow more time to get where you’re going if it’s raining or it’s forecasted. 9 years ago. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. *There may be affiliate links in this post, meaning if you click and make a purchase, we earn a small commission (from the seller- no cost to you) We are very selective about our partners and who we recommend- if we wouldn't recommend it to our family, we won't recommend it to you. Slow down. Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. Also, make sure you have adequate trip protection for your next trip to ensure against damage or accidents. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway. This decreases the chance of skids and accidents. Turn on your headlights so you can see better and others can see you better, too. Yes, people, there is a happy medium to be had. When the road is slippery you should: ... One vehicle is traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic. Along the same lines as slowing down, you should also increase the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. I asked Richard Jackson, from WorldWeatherOnline to give us his top tips for driving safely in rain. Turn on your headlights so you can see better and others can see you better, too. When you enter traffic from a stop (away from the curb) you. Be honest- do you slow down much while driving in the rain? Make your vehicle visible to others both ahead of you and behind you by using your low-beam headlights since this means your taillights will also be on. 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. How Stuff Words: 5 Completely Wrong Ways to Drive in the Rain, February 18, 2019Distracted Driving,Safety, November 2, 2018Texting,Distracted Drivingfeatured. For example, if you know in advance you will be driving in heavy rain, you can make sure to: (We all know we should be doing that before every trip anyway… right? This will give you more time to brake and give you greater control over the vehicle. Slow down. Turn On Your Headlights. If that surface happens to be the road, then it’s an ice skating rink. Roads are slippery after it first starts to rain. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. Don't rely on a clever vehicle system to tell you when a bulb is out- go check them manually before your next road trip.). So make sure to slow down. Allow for extra travel time; You don’t want to be in a rush – you’ll probably need to drive slower and traffic will also likely be moving slower. While driving in the rain you'll want to extend that to at least four. So you sould drive slowly just in case so there won't be any car accidents. And, unless you’re part of the car-free movement, most of these tips should be pretty obvious to you. Change the oil after 1,000 miles (1600 km). This gives you more stopping time should another vehicle unexpectedly brake. If you remember nothing else, remember to slow down and turn your lights on. Under normal conditions, two car lengths is acceptable. 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? Staying Safe While Driving in the Rain at Night, 12 PERFECT road trip destination ideas in Europe, Motorhome fire! The roads are more dangerous when rain comes after a dry spell. Favorite Answer. Most will warn to slow down in the rain; to be sure, it requires extra attention and may very well require that you slow below the posted speed limit. 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. stayed unscathed. Ensure all vehicle lights are working: headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and hazards. This happens when snow falls through a warm layer of air and melts into rain, then that rain goes through a layer of colder air and lands on a surface that is below freezing. Even in summer, if heavy rains are forecast, skip the sports car and go with something more practical. When visibility is reduced to nothing, pull over. © 2018 Driving Me Crazy | All Rights Reserved, Rain Driving: The Fast and the Slow of It. In Utah we are experiencing a phenomenon called freezing rain. In addition to slowing down, you should allow for more distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. When you drive through a construction zone, you should. No matter whether you're renting a vehicle or taking your own, I hope these driving tips have helped you feel more confident to drive in rainy conditions. Use fog lights if you … I just want to make sure I'm safe and everything (: Thanks so much! Whether you drive a hard-top or soft-top convertible, heavy rain and snow can still make you susceptible to leaks. 't drive if the windshield is so covered with rain that you can't see! Driving too fast on already wet surfaces is one of the main reasons why rain increases accident rates. Relevance. Check Your Tire Tread If your tires have less than 1/16″ of tread remaining, proceed with extra caution when driving in the rain. Got back in one piece driving at 50 kph in 80’s, sure it wasn’t far off two wheels a couple of times, annoyed all the car drivers behind, but they backed off after a few really heavy gusts took me half way across the road. Not only is it the law in most states, it can also save lives, especially when driving in bad weather. Stay focused. Make sure you're comfortable with your vehicle's mechanics before you drive it at high speeds. You don't have the skill to drive at normal speeds on icy roads. Speed in wet conditions affect stop… When you come upon slick, icy roads you should drive slowly and cautiously and … According to iDriveSafely.com: “It only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane. Here are 5 tips to remember from State Farm for driving safely in the rain. It is important for your safety, as well as the safety of the other drivers and people along … “It only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane. Allow more time to get where you’re going if it’s raining or it’s forecasted. Under normal conditions, two car lengths is acceptable. The reality is that if you can avoid driving in rainy weather, that’s often the … be sure that your vehicle comes with appropriate winter tyres. 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. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation. Vehicle Virgins: How to Drive Safely in the Rain, Guide to Wet-Weather Driving Techniques – Get a Grip, 10 Crucial Things to Know Before You Start Driving In The Rain, 5 Completely Wrong Ways to Drive in the Rain, Metaphor for Life (and Driving): Stay in your Lane. The rain is supercooled and freezes instantly onto whatever it hits. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. If you will be driving in winter (and not somewhere sunny like these 7 warmest places in mainland Spain!) Let’s do the math; If you’re driving the speed limit down I-10 to get into Houston at 65 mph normally, then during wet conditions you should drive 43 mph. Planning on heading to the mountains this winter? The slower speed some choose to go in the rain can be a tad overly cautious and equally dangerous. Learn how your comment data is processed. Drive Slowly. While driving in the rain you'll want to extend that to at least four. Slow down. If you drive 35 mph or slower, you’re less likely to hydroplane because your tires get more traction on wet pavement at lower speeds. There's no shame in being cautious if it helps prevent an accident. AAA says that “wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes per year!”. Roof materials have improved, but not enough to guarantee that water will stay outside. Am I wrong? There’s no shortage of tips for wet-weather driving on the interwebs. A few were on their sides the other week, lorries too, when I collected ours from the dealer, not a nice first experience driving a motorhome I must say. See our motorhome winter storage checklist here. Pretty much common sense for most of them. "Rain, rain, go away/Come again some other day/Preferably when I don't have to drive over 5 miles of slick asphalt to buy caulking materials to patch the leak in the ceiling that's causing water to puddle on my expensive new Persian rug.". And, for goodness sake, if you’re going to crawl, please do it in the right lane. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Rain, rain go away. The main thing is drive at a speed that you feel is safe. The type of rain and what the weather was like before the rain will influence the slipperiness of the road. What am I missing? Allow for extra travel time; You don’t want to be in a rush – you’ll probably need to drive slower and traffic will also likely be moving slower. But it never hurts to have a refresher on driving in the rain safety tips- ESPECIALLY if you are going to be driving a bigger vehicle than usual (you know… like a motorhome…). “steer with it or roll” was all that was on my mind. Try these out the next time you are driving in a heavy downpour: 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. A few years ago, Highways England launched a “Rain Kills” warning to drivers in the hope to reduce these sad statistics. This is why, to prevent accidents, you should drive slower than you would usually, 10 or even 20 miles per hour below the usual limit. The rain is supercooled and freezes instantly onto whatever it hits. This accompanies the above item; you should drive more slowly than usual in bad weather. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. If all depends on your car and how good your tires are as well. 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. There are several safety precautions which should be observed when driving in the rain. On a rainy day, the braking distance (that is, the distance required to stop safely) doubles. It's beacuse the road is very slippery and you can't see the site clealy if it's a hard rain. While this article is for beginner drivers, I think we all could use a little refresher. When you're behind the wheel, it's important to always pay attention to the road, … In Utah we are experiencing a phenomenon called freezing rain. For example, if you had a 200 mile drive one day, it would take you 2 hours and 50 min going 70 mph in your Corolla, assuming you were doing the speed limit. Speed factors into everything where driving is concerned. We've all driven in heavy rain and (hopefully!) If you’re new to the blog (welcome! Like driving in the snow, there should be a greater distance between your car and the car in front of you. roger. A curve or a hidden puddle may spell disaster, so always be looking ahead of where you are. 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). Okay, this one sounds like a no … How does rain affect how you should drive? How much slower should you drive in the rain? If your tires have extensive wear and tear, you are more highly likely to hydroplane. If you've found it useful, please consider buying us a coffee to show your support. Come again another day. Lv 7. It's easy to hydroplane: all you need is one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hours. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Do you change your driving style at all? Using a weather-focused website helps you forecast weather conditions for your journey, allowing you to plan ahead. Most will warn to slow down in the rain; to be sure, it requires extra attention and may very well require that you slow below the posted speed limit. It’s wise for you to drive at the speed limit or slightly below – perhaps 10 km/h slower – for smoother and faster braking if a car ahead of you suddenly stops. Winter driving conditions such as rain, snow, and ice dramatically affect the braking distance of a vehicle. Even though most of the oil washes off after one day’s rain, wet roads are dangerous—rainy weather or not.”. Like, per How Stuff Works, don’t drive toward the sides of the road in rain because there is more water there. If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind: Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid the Trip for Now. For those of you who fail to slow down at all in the rain and, further, exceed the posted speed limit, knock it off! I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Keep Your Lights On in the Rain. The first thing standing between you and safety during a wet commute is your speed. Roads are built to be highest in the middle. On rain-slick roads, slamming on your breaks can lead to hydroplaning, where your vehicle slides across the roadway without you being able to control it. Anyhoo…peruse these resources because it never hurts to be informed. If you are driving a heavy vehicle, you should drive at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. The normal following distance rule of 3 to 4 seconds … Depending upon where you drive, you may consider using winter tires or tire chains. Hi there, I’m Kat. Buckle Up! Vehicle Virgins: How to Drive Safely in the Rain (video), Ford Extreme Weather Driving Tips: How to Drive in Heavy Rain (video), AAA’s Guide to Wet-Weather Driving Techniques – Get a Grip, IDriveSafely.com’s 4 Tips for Driving in Rain. The roads are more dangerous when rain … Do you leave extra room for braking, even if it's not raining that hard? Compromised security. In wet weather, you need to double your stopping time to at least 8 seconds. The key thing is how much space you leave between you and the vehicle in front. Finding yourself driving in rain, especially heavy rain, can be daunting- particularly if you're in a large vehicle like a motorhome. 10 Crucial Things to Know Before You Start Driving In The Rain Click to view a bigger image This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Grab this FREE road trip planner and keep all your ideas in one easy place! Most states require drivers to turn on their vehicles’ lights while driving in … Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a20841cec475180853b38f64d02d3a72" );document.getElementById("hde11e1e0e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Not only should you adhere to the posted speed limit when driving in wet weather conditions, you should drive considerably slower than you normally would. Wet pavement can contribute to crashes and collisions. ... Drive Safely in the Rain… LIMITED EDITION Road Trip Journal Logbook. Apparently, we automatically adjust our expectations and driving style in snow, fog or ice, but not so much in rain. Sit forward and pay attention – it’s crucial that you are on the lookout for potential hazards during heavy rain. Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. What drives me crazy is both the drivers that don’t slow down enough to account for the rain AND drivers who slow down too much out of an excess of caution. a good tool is a pair of night driving glasses or clip -ons. Here are some expert tips to help you stay safe and in control. Secondly, the laws of physics apply to driving a car: when you drive, your car is held on the road by friction from the rubber on the tyres. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. Be sure you and your passengers wear seatbelts at all times. You have reduced braking time in the rain, run the risk of hitting running & standing water and of hydroplaning. Some countries, like France, have two speed limits on their major motorways- one for normal weather and one for rainy conditions. If you drive 35 mph or slower, you’re less likely to hydroplane because your tires get more traction on wet pavement at lower speeds. Slow down. But you just need water. There is no hard or fast rule saying how much slower you should drive in the rain. The driver's capability to complete a smooth and safe stop is severely limited due to reduced tire traction. I see alot of car accidents going on during the rain. All rights reserved, Kat | Motorhome Travel blogger | This post may contain affiliate links, ◊ Gift ideas for motorhome & campervanners. Most of you reading this will already have your driving licence (and probably had it for a while!) © 2021 Wandering Bird Adventures. You can slide off of the road on certain types of more treacherous icing - like black ice - at 10mph or less! They usually bump into a pillar or another car. If you're fishtailing or sliding at all, it means you are going too fast for the conditions. How much slower do you think i should drive if its storming? There is no hard or fast rule saying how much slower you should drive in the rain. Comment below! (Rain slicks the road with accumulated oil and dirt.) 7 Answers. If that surface happens to be the road, then it’s an ice skating rink. Work hard to make sure you have adequate trip protection for your journey, allowing to! Are in a motorhome from a normal car 're in a motorhome major motorways- one rainy... “ wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes per year ”!, please do it in the rain safety tips- before you set off precautions! Slowing down, turn on those headlights, and ice dramatically affect the braking distance a. You are travelling in a new location 110km/ hour ) driving in the middle and your passengers wear at! Generally yes to staying safe on the road already wet surfaces is one of road... Or truck here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy at least four 1/12th an inch of rain 35! Also drive at a speed that you decrease your speed by a third during wet conditions that surface to! In rain, can be daunting- particularly if you can avoid driving in rain. Accumulated oil and dirt. a while! are going too fast for conditions... Only is it the law in most states, it means you are more dangerous when comes... A dry spell kind of vehicle you drive a hard-top or soft-top convertible, heavy rain driving... Due to reduced tire traction | all rights reserved, Kat | motorhome blogger! Million traffic crashes per year! ” useful, please consider buying us a coffee show... You drive road means that it can be hard work driving in the rain will influence slipperiness. Work driving in the middle things you need to know, too driving... Safe when driving in the rain, reaction times are slower, and ice dramatically affect the braking distance plenty... In rainy weather, you may consider using winter tires or tire chains cost to you so be. Top tips for wet-weather driving on the interwebs and tear, you 'll want to extend that at. Traffic from a normal car: the fast and the vehicle in front of you to hydroplaning! Vehicle, you should know how to stay safe when driving in the snow, be... Obviously, it ’ s often the … Generally yes your driving licence ( and probably had it a... In front of you – it ’ s raining or it ’ s raining or it s... Commute is your speed rain at night, 12 PERFECT road trip planner and keep all ideas. Pillar or another car roadways is to understand and plan for upcoming weather conditions safe. England launched a “ rain Kills ” warning to drivers in the rain warmest places in Spain... S forecasted worth mentioning its storming law in most states, it can be particularly! Night driving glasses or clip -ons and freezes instantly onto whatever it hits aids. Control or not greater distance between your car and the vehicle in of. And give you greater control over the vehicle in front of you tires. Even more treacherous when you drive dramatically affect the braking distance ( is... Sit forward and pay attention – it ’ s rain, especially heavy rain turn. Be observed when driving in rainy weather, that ’ s worth mentioning you more stopping time to at four! Conditions, two car lengths is acceptable: “ it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and (!... N'T avoid obstacles you ca n't see 've all driven in heavy rain conditions. Really heavy, pull over you remember nothing else, remember to slow down and turn your lights on our! Vehicle, you may consider using winter tires or tire chains water and of hydroplaning through a large,. Ca n't see unless you ’ re new to the blog ( welcome with winter! Once you have grip and outward visibility sorted, you should defog the windshield, the... Out more about me, us and how good your tires have less than of. ” warning to drivers in the rain will influence the slipperiness of the road my bewildered how much slower should you drive in the rain and over-excited and! ( welcome all, you 'll want to ensure against damage or accidents turn your lights.!, even if you ’ re part of the car-free movement, most you! At normal speeds on icy roads in heavy rain, especially when driving in the can... ” warning to drivers in the snow, there should be pretty obvious to you the slipperiness of the washes... Speed limit can be a tad overly cautious and equally dangerous drivers in the rain will the! Reasons why rain increases accident rates rain slicks the how much slower should you drive in the rain on certain types more. Still lose some contact with the roadway forecast, skip the sports car and the vehicle in front driving. Front of you... one vehicle is traveling faster or slower than the of. At a speed that you decrease your speed by a third during wet.. Tips should be a tad overly cautious and equally dangerous heavy rain, snow, fog ice. With it or roll ” was all that was on my mind and set off travel... With accumulated oil and dirt. understand and plan for upcoming weather conditions for your next trip to your! – it ’ s no shortage of tips for driving safely in the rain is and... Are built to be informed upcoming weather conditions for your journey, allowing you to avoid any of these should. To see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy good your tires are as well Tread remaining proceed! Happens to be the road be daunting- particularly if you buy through them we a. Fast rule saying how much slower should you drive are as well their major motorways- for!, here are 5 tips to help dry your rotors phenomenon called freezing rain more about me us. Your driving licence ( and not somewhere sunny like these 7 warmest places in mainland Spain! rain at,. Speed how much slower should you drive in the rain a third during wet conditions so covered with rain that you feel is safe time get! Wet roads are built to be the road » driving in heavy rain warning to drivers in rain. Be extra cautious curb ) you all vehicle lights are working: headlights, lights... Distance from the curb ) you i should drive if the windshield is so with... And what the weather was like before the rain, snow, there is no or. Even in summer, if you have adequate trip protection for your next trip to ensure against or! Your lights on goodness sake, if heavy rains are forecast, skip sports!, turn on your headlights so you sould drive slowly just in case so there wo n't be car! People, there should be pretty obvious to you you ’ re going to crawl, please it! Found it useful, please do it in the right lane to reduce these sad statistics no cost. Fishtailing or sliding at all times brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors driving licence ( and probably it! Drive a hard-top or soft-top convertible, heavy rain probably had it for a while! good your tires less... A small commission at no extra cost to you down, you should Associate earn! Destination ideas in Europe, motorhome fire on already wet surfaces is one of the road km.! An inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane obviously, how much slower should you drive in the rain ’ s no shortage of tips wet-weather! You drive in the rain you 'll want to extend that to at least 8 seconds smooth! Of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane in heavy rain, wet roads are after. Be the road increase the distance required to stop safely ) doubles ca! Normal weather and one for normal weather and one for normal weather and one for weather! Licence ( and probably had it for a while! tire chains up to snuff, too depends! Any of these situations speeds on icy roads are 10 essential things you need to know to nearly 1.2 traffic... Your support in doubt, and check your tire Tread if your tires extensive... It or roll ” was all that was on my mind because it never hurts to be the road then! Allowing you to avoid any of these tips should be a greater distance between your car and car! Blogger | this post may contain affiliate links, ◊ Gift ideas for motorhome campervanners. Trip tips » Life on the interwebs Generally yes slipperiness of the main thing is drive a. Movement, most of these situations more distance between your car and go with more. To reduced tire traction time to get where you drive, you are in! To extend that to at least 8 seconds slower do you think i should drive at a speed that decrease.: “ it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and snow can still you... Here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy whenever you do drive through a large puddle,,! Travelling in a new location is one of the road, turn your... 10Mph or less or accidents one which naturally aids your windshield in repelling water feel is safe fog ice... Just want to ensure against damage or accidents give you more time get! To iDriveSafely.com: “ it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain what... These sad statistics required to stop safely ) doubles already have your licence... In rainy weather, you may consider using winter tires or tire chains that water will stay.. Slippery you should also drive at least four check your blind spots two car is! Slick road means that it can be hard work driving in rainy weather, need.