Spring is here, and what that means is that the skies are going to open up and drop quite a bit of rain on us in the coming weeks and months. This happens every year, and yet every year there are far too many people who get into car accidents that involve wet and slick road conditions. In fact, according to the American Auto Association, there are 1.2 million car accidents every year that involve wet weather.
So what can we do to reduce that number? How can we better protect ourselves, and other people on the road, when we’re driving and it starts to rain?
First of all, it is important to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. This is a simple step that can save you a lot of pain and suffering later. Many accidents in wet weather occur because of a rear-end collision, and maintaining that healthy spacing between you and the car in front of you is important.
Another important safety tip is to check your tires, and rotate them if necessary. you want to make sure that your tires aren’t worn down. This will increase the chance of your vehicle hydroplaning.
And speaking of hydroplaning, you can go through this scary moment even if your tires are perfect and you are driving as safely as possible. When you are skidding on the water, it may feel like you have no control of your vehicle. It is in these moments that you need to remain calm. Resist the urge to slam on the brakes or to jerk the steering wheel. These actions often further destabilize the vehicle.
Source: Direct, “Wet Weather Driving Tips for the Spring,” Accessed April 10, 2015