Tips for driving safely on wet roadways

With rain predicted for nearly every day this week and next, area drivers should practice caution when taking to the roadways. AAA National reports that wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes each year.

Here are some safety tips for driving in the rain:
Make sure that you can see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive.

Proper tire tread depth and inflation are critical for good traction on wet roads. Check tread depth with a quarter inserted upside-down into the tire groove. If you can see above Washington’s head, it’s time to begin shopping for new tires. Check each tire’s pressure, including the spare, at least once a month–and always check the pressure before beginning to drive, or when the tires are cold.

Avoid Cruise Control
While cruise control works great in dry conditions, using it on wet pavement can increase the chance of losing control of the vehicle. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car’s speed by easing off the accelerator, which cannot be done when the cruise control is engaged.
When driving in wet-weather conditions, it is important to fully engage with the act of driving. Avoiding cruise control allows the driver more options to choose from when responding to a situation, which maximizes safety.
Slow Down and Leave Room
Driving more slowly during wet weather driving reduces a car’s chance of hydroplaning, which happens when the tires rise up on a film of water. With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires must displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber in contact with the road. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. Even at speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the road.

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. Also, it’s important for motorists to allow ample stopping distance between cars by increasing the following distance of the vehicle in front of them and beginning to slow down to stop for intersections, turns and other traffic early.

Responding to a Skid
Even careful drivers can experience skids. If a driver feels his/her car beginning  to skid, it’s important to not panic and follow these basic steps:
Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the driver wants the car to go.

Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.
If you feel the car begin to skid, continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Don’t panic and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.

The bottom line for driving in wet weather is to be extra cautious, according to AAA. Slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and allow ample stopping distance between your car and the vehicles in front of you.

Remember, do these things one-at-a-time. Brake, then turn, then accelerate.