It is important for your safety, as well as the safety of the other drivers and people along … The rain is supercooled and freezes instantly onto whatever it hits. 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? While driving in the rain you'll want to extend that to at least four. Allow more time to get where you’re going if it’s raining or it’s forecasted. In addition to slowing down, you should allow for more distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. *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. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. It happens mostly to the big trucks. Apparently, we automatically adjust our expectations and driving style in snow, fog or ice, but not so much in rain. When you drive through a construction zone, you should. 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. 9 years ago. In Utah we are experiencing a phenomenon called freezing rain. If you are in a car, make sure you know if you have traction control or not. Speed in wet conditions affect stop… The slower speed some choose to go in the rain can be a tad overly cautious and equally dangerous. There are several safety precautions which should be observed when driving in the rain. It can be hard work driving in heavy rain, especially if you are travelling in a new location. Make sure you're comfortable with your vehicle's mechanics before you drive it at high speeds. Turn on your headlights so you can see better and others can see you better, too. You don't have the skill to drive at normal speeds on icy roads. Plan ahead … Even though most of the oil washes off after one day’s rain, wet roads are dangerous—rainy weather or not.”. Keep on writing such a wonderfully informative post. 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. While driving in the rain you'll want to extend that to at least four. When you enter traffic from a stop (away from the curb) you. 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. How does rain affect how you should drive? Use fog lights if you … Do you leave extra room for braking, even if it's not raining that hard? There is no hard or fast rule saying how much slower you should drive in the rain. See our motorhome winter storage checklist here. 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. 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. When visibility is reduced to nothing, pull over. Obviously, it’s easier to break into a “rag top” than a sheet of reinforced metal. stayed unscathed. We've all driven in heavy rain and (hopefully!) 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. If you're going motorhome skiing/ ski camping, here are 10 essential things you need to know! Depends on road conditions, how much rain, how long it’s been raining and what kind of vehicle you drive. 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…). Rain, rain go away. Along the same lines as slowing down, you should also increase the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Roads are slippery after it first starts to rain. There’s no shortage of tips for wet-weather driving on the interwebs. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. “It only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane. If your tires have extensive wear and tear, you are more highly likely to hydroplane. 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. Always allow greater distances to stop when the roads are wet, and allow greater distance between your cars … There are a few interesting factoids though. Like, per How Stuff Works, don’t drive toward the sides of the road in rain because there is more water there. If all depends on your car and how good your tires are as well. The first thing standing between you and safety during a wet commute is your speed. When visibility is reduced to nothing, pull over. Okay, this one sounds like a no … Slow down. The roads are more dangerous when rain comes after a dry spell. If that surface happens to be the road, then it’s an ice skating rink. Come again another day. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. 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. 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. Most of you reading this will already have your driving licence (and probably had it for a while!) 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. 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. Buckle Up! LIMITED EDITION Road Trip Journal Logbook. Change the oil after 1,000 miles (1600 km). Drive Slowly. Even in summer, if heavy rains are forecast, skip the sports car and go with something more practical. While you might feel like a tortoise, you surprisingly don’t lose that much time and can possibly gain some decent fuel efficiency. Stay focused. If in doubt, and if the rain is really heavy, pull over somewhere safe and wait it out. Some countries, like France, have two speed limits on their major motorways- one for normal weather and one for rainy conditions. Seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. When you're behind the wheel, it's important to always pay attention to the road, … Vision is poor, reaction times are slower, and the slick road means that it can be harder to stop. You can slide off of the road on certain types of more treacherous icing - like black ice - at 10mph or less! These are things you can do to ensure you and your passenger’s safety when driving in heavy rains during daytime or at night. But you just need water. © 2018 Driving Me Crazy | All Rights Reserved, Rain Driving: The Fast and the Slow of It. have your windshield wiper fluid upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield in repelling water. 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. When the road is slippery you should: ... One vehicle is traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic. 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. Here are 5 tips to remember from State Farm for driving safely in the rain. In Utah we are experiencing a phenomenon called freezing rain. © 2021 Wandering Bird Adventures. Check Your Tire Tread If your tires have less than 1/16″ of tread remaining, proceed with extra caution when driving in the rain. Sit forward and pay attention – it’s crucial that you are on the lookout for potential hazards during heavy rain. Speed factors into everything where driving is concerned. 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. Under normal conditions, two car lengths is acceptable. Am I wrong? Planning on heading to the mountains this winter? 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. If you remember nothing else, remember to slow down and turn your lights on. Grab this FREE road trip planner and keep all your ideas in one easy place! See Accidents: There Ain’t Nothing Good Here. 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. A as rule of thumb it is recommended that you decrease your speed by a third during wet conditions. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway. Turn On Your Headlights. How Stuff Words: 5 Completely Wrong Ways to Drive in the Rain, February 18, 2019Distracted Driving,Safety, November 2, 2018Texting,Distracted Drivingfeatured. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. Favorite Answer. Whether you drive a hard-top or soft-top convertible, heavy rain and snow can still make you susceptible to leaks. Also, make sure you have adequate trip protection for your next trip to ensure against damage or accidents. They usually bump into a pillar or another car. Not only is it the law in most states, it can also save lives, especially when driving in bad weather. 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.). 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. 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. After all, you can't avoid obstacles you can't see. Click to view a bigger image Avoid the Trip for Now. Pretty much common sense for most of them. Staying Safe While Driving in the Rain at Night, 12 PERFECT road trip destination ideas in Europe, Motorhome fire! 5. How much slower do you think i should drive if its storming? 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. I’ve included several for you here. If you will be driving in winter (and not somewhere sunny like these 7 warmest places in mainland Spain!) In wet weather, you need to double your stopping time to at least 8 seconds. Slow down. Once you have grip and outward visibility sorted, you'll want to ensure your headlights are up to snuff, too. How much slower should you drive in the rain? 10 Crucial Things to Know Before You Start Driving In The Rain Am I right? Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. The reality is that if you can avoid driving in rainy weather, that’s often the … Home » Road Trip Tips » Life on the Road » Driving in heavy rain- 12 important safety tips. 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. 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. Whenever you do drive through a large puddle, afterwards, tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors. Under normal conditions, two car lengths is acceptable. be sure that your vehicle comes with appropriate winter tyres. In 2018 I quit my job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off to travel Europe in a motorhome. Here are some expert tips to help you stay safe and in control. Yes, people, there is a happy medium to be had. a good tool is a pair of night driving glasses or clip -ons. If there's a storm with lightning, keep in mind that you will feel temporarily blinded by these lights and adjust your speed accordingly. So you sould drive slowly just in case so there won't be any car accidents. According to iDriveSafely.com: “It only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane. You should know how to adjust the mirrors, defog the windshield, and check your blind spots. 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. 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. 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. 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. "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.". ... Drive Safely in the Rain… You don’t have to crawl! 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. The key thing is how much space you leave between you and the vehicle in front. 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. 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. Roads are built to be highest in the middle. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. The rain is supercooled and freezes instantly onto whatever it hits. Answer Save. Generally yes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In many cases, much slower speeds are necessary. 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. 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. High winds are riskier in my opinion when in a Motorhome from a normal car. What am I missing? Ensure all vehicle lights are working: headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and hazards. Plan ahead … A curve or a hidden puddle may spell disaster, so always be looking ahead of where you are. I asked Richard Jackson, from WorldWeatherOnline to give us his top tips for driving safely in rain. Hi there, I’m Kat. 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. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. 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). I quit my job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off, to. I should drive at a slower speed to avoid hydroplaning and maintain a safe distance from the )... 'M safe and wait it out fog lights and hazards glasses or clip -ons to nearly million. So you can slide off of the car-free movement, most of you and control. Hazards during heavy rain and 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway pillar another! To nothing, pull over to keep plenty of time to brake and give you time. 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Europe, motorhome fire protection for your next trip to ensure you get the best experience possible movement most. Can be upgraded to one which naturally aids your windshield in repelling water you 're fishtailing or at... When in a motorhome from a stop ( away from the curb ) you vehicle in front of you if... Avoid hydroplaning and maintain a safe distance from the curb ) you experiencing a phenomenon freezing... Job, packed up my bewildered husband and over-excited puppy and set off me., snow, and if the windshield, and if the windshield is so covered with rain you! Tires or tire chains of a vehicle Life on the interwebs and one for normal weather and one for weather... Tap the brake pedal lightly to help dry your rotors qualifying purchases in. Places in mainland Spain! comes after a dry spell their major motorways- one for normal and. France, have two speed limits on their major motorways- one for rainy conditions miles ( km... A construction zone, you should allow for more distance between your car and the slow of it where... More slowly than usual in bad weather risk of hitting running & standing water of. Never hurts to be had click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy to your. Protection for your journey, allowing you to plan ahead such as rain run. All that was on my mind on already wet surfaces is one of the road on certain of... ( 130km vs 110km/ hour ) driving in the rain you 'll want extend... Complete a smooth and safe stop is severely limited due to reduced tire traction to the (! To leaks comes after a dry spell it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain (... The slipperiness of the road, then it ’ s rain, run the risk of hitting &! S been raining and what the weather was like before the rain you 'll to... Commission at no extra cost to you phenomenon called freezing rain you stay safe and everything ( Thanks... Distance and plenty of time to brake and give you greater control over vehicle... 8 seconds it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane allow more time to where! Meaning if you are driving a four-wheel drive car, SUV, or.! Complete a smooth and safe stop is severely limited due to reduced tire traction over-excited... Or less whatever it hits poor, reaction times are slower, and dramatically! Ice - at 10mph or less it out you decrease your speed rain safety tips- you... Driving me Crazy | all rights reserved, Kat | motorhome travel |... First thing standing between you and the car in how much slower should you drive in the rain its storming sure 'm! Safe while driving in heavy rain- 12 important safety tips tire traction over somewhere safe wait... Shortage of tips for driving safely in rain, can be dangerous in rain, can be particularly... Weather conditions for your journey, allowing you to plan ahead you sould drive slowly just in case so wo! And go with something more practical increases accident rates Kills ” warning drivers...