Safety Tips to Conquer Driving in Rain

Safety tip for driving in the rain: If visibility is poor, water is pooling on the road or you’re dealing with heavy or freezing rain, the safest choice may be to delay your trip or pull over to a safe place until conditions improve.

Make sure your vehicle is ready for rain

Driving safely in the rain starts on a dry day. Take time to check your car’s tire tread, tire pressure, windshield wipers, headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals. These features are critical for keeping your car safe on the road when it’s raining. Specifically, here’s what you should check:

• Tire tread:

Take a penny and insert it upside down into the tire tread. If Lincoln’s head is covered, your tires are probably fine. But if the top of his head is exposed, you may have worn down your tread. Tires that have low tread are unsafe on the road.²

• Tire pressure:

Check the pressure of your tires at least once a month. It’s fairly simple to use a tire gauge to do so. Most car tires should have 32 to 35 psi when they’re cold (meaning, the car hasn’t run in a little while).³ If you’re not sure how much air your tires need, most new cars have a sticker inside the driver’s side door (or you can check the owner’s manual).

• Windshield wipers:

Over time, windshield wipers wear down. That’s why most windshield wiper brands recommend replacing this part every six to 12 months, or more frequently if you notice streaks or the wipers aren’t working.⁴ To stay safe while driving in the rain, it’s critical that you have good windshield wipers. Without them, your visibility and safety could be severely compromised.

• Vehicle lights:

Headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are designed to improve your car’s visibility to others, especially in the rain. Make sure all of your car’s lights are working properly before you head out on the road. Plus, many states require by law that you use your headlights when it’s raining.²

If you’re about to purchase a used car, it’s especially important to check the features listed above.

Avoid driving in dangerous rainy conditions

Let’s start with the obvious: If you can, adjust your travel plans. If you can push off running errands or visiting friends, try to do so. There’s no reason to put yourself at risk if your schedule is flexible and the weather is bad.²

This is especially true for driving in heavy rain, when visibility can drop quickly, and for driving in freezing rain, when road surfaces may ice over even if they don’t look slippery.

Drive slowly on wet roads

When driving in the rain, safety should be your top concern. Slow and steady is the name of the game. Wet roads make it more difficult for tires to perform optimally. According to Edmunds, you may even lose about one-third of your tire’s traction.²

If the rain is significant, reduce your speed by at least 10 to 15 mph. For example, if you’re driving on a 65-mph highway, start driving at 50 to 55 mph or slower.⁴ If the rain gets really heavy and it’s safe to do so, pull over, turn on your hazard lights, and wait until visibility and traction improve. After all, you don’t want to risk your safety and the safety of your passengers. No destination is worth the extra risk.

There’s a difference in how you drive in rain during the day and at night. The basics stay the same — slow down, leave more space and stay visible. But at night, wet pavement can reflect lights and make lane markings harder to see, so it may help to reduce your speed even more and focus on the road edge and lane lines.

Use the windshield wipers properly

Your windshield wipers have different speed settings. For your safety, use the slowest setting when the rain is light. This way, your wipers won’t get overused and unnecessarily worn down. When it’s pouring, turn the wipers to a higher setting. This will help remove water droplets on the windshield so you can see what’s ahead.

It’s also important to keep your windshield wipers in top condition. This means you need to replace them periodically, or at least every six to 12 months.⁴

Here are some signs you may need to purchase replacement wipers:⁴

• You hear noises when you turn the wipers on.

This could mean rubber is damaged on the blade.

• There’s a vibration or jerking motion.

It’s possible that the wiper isn’t gliding across your windshield evenly.

• You see streaks across the windshield.

Usually, this means the wiper blade has worn down.

• Water isn’t fully removed.

The blade is probably very old and may have even torn.

Windshield wipers are relatively low-cost, depending on the type and brand you purchase. But more importantly, they’re an important safety feature for driving in rain. It’s worth the cost to buy a replacement if you think your wipers are subpar.

Windows fogging up from the inside? Turn on the defroster and air conditioning to help remove moisture from the cabin air. Keeping the inside of your windshield clear is part of driving in the rain safety, too.

Turn on your headlights

As soon as the rain appears, turn your headlights on. In most states, it’s the law to use your headlights in the rain. Not only do they increase your visibility, but they also help other drivers see you on the road.⁵ They can also help protect pedestrians and bicyclists who are on the road while it’s raining.

Use your regular headlights – not just daytime running lights – so your taillights are on, too. That can make a big difference for other drivers trying to see your car while driving in the rain, especially at dawn, dusk and night.

Look out for standing water

One of the risks of driving in rain is hydroplaning. This happens when a car’s tires slide across standing water on the road. The tire cannot handle the amount of water it faces. Instead, water is pushed underneath the tire, lifting the tire up from the road. Ultimately, the tire loses traction to the road, and a driver can lose control of the car. It can be difficult to steer and brake.⁶

Hydroplaning is usually most dangerous during the first 10 minutes of a light rain. That’s because when rain and the road’s oil residue mix, it can become very slippery.⁶

To help avoid hydroplaning:⁶

• Make sure your tires are at a proper pressure (32 to 35 psi).³
• Maintain your tires by regularly rotating and replacing them.
• Drive slowly when it’s raining out.
• Avoid using cruise control, so you can quickly adapt to changes.
• Don’t brake quickly.
• Try not to make very sharp or fast turns.

It’s also helpful to avoid lanes where more water builds up. And be on the lookout for other cars and trucks that can hydroplane. If possible, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road.⁶

What if the rain is icing up? Freezing rain can be even more dangerous because water may freeze on contact with the road or your windshield. If temperatures are near or below freezing, slow down well before turns and bridges, and consider postponing travel if conditions are worsening.

Avoid distractions

Distracted driving is bad driving, no matter if it’s raining or not. But it’s especially important to stay focused in inclement weather. Staying alert helps you avoid issues in your own car and keep your eyes peeled for other drivers who may be driving slowly, stopped in a breakdown lane or drifting into your lane. Bottom line: When it’s raining, it’s even more important to focus on driving – and only driving.

To help you stay alert:

• Keep both hands on the wheel.
• Shut off your cellphone, put it on airplane mode, or, if you’re using your phone as your GPS, put it on “Do not disturb” mode.
• Lower the volume on your car’s stereo.
• Avoid heated conversations in the car.
• Avoid eating, putting on makeup or doing any other tasks.

Remember, driving in the rain is a part of life. We can’t predict or control the weather, so it’s worth taking extra precautions to help keep you and your family protected on the road.