The country is awash with rain during the greater part of April, and these types of weather conditions can prove hazardous if drivers are not careful. Wet roads require a completely different skill set than normal driving circumstances. Drivers have to be prepared to take the proper precautions whenever the weather looks like it’s about to turn. You thus might want to consider some driving safety tips out of Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
First, don’t think that you have to necessarily approach the speed limit. Drive in a way that makes you comfortable and keeps you safe. When the roads are slick, cutting down on your speed by just a few miles per hour can mean the difference between life and death.
Because it takes a much longer time to stop amid rainy conditions, you’ll also want to make sure that you leave plenty of space between yourself and the leading vehicle. If they brake, you need to be able to brake as well.
If at anytime you begin to hydroplane (a condition where your wheels lose purchase with the road), then the last thing you want to do is slam on the brakes. This can cause your vehicle to fishtail more out of control and put you in greater danger. Instead, stop depressing the gas pedal and keep a firm grip on on the wheel.
One other way to avoid danger from hydroplaning is to refrain from utilizing the cruise control when the roads are wet. When the system is turned on, the vehicle might not be able to deduce the proper speed during hydroplaning, and instead of slowing down, it can speed up, increasing the risk of a crash. Leave hydroplaning off so that you maintain full control of the vehicle.
Visibility can be enhanced by a few simple measures. Your defrosters in both the front and the back should be turned on so that you can peer out the windows without condensation blocking your view. This is important even during short trips. And when it is raining, you should flick on your headlights. Actually, this should be done at all times of the day, as studies have shown that the risk of a crash is lessened when headlights are on thanks to the heightened visibility afforded.
One other way to improve visibility is to have a functioning pair of wiper blades. Many people will go years and years before switching out these items, but that’s a mistake, as they can become dull long before that. An annual swap is a good idea, but you can even seek a replacement sooner than that if you notice that the blades are not doing their job.
Finally, make sure that your attention is placed solely on the road. This isn’t the time to engage in distracting behaviors like texting or talking on a cellphone.