Whenever it rains, Californians hear about the accident risks associated with driving on wet or slippery roads after a long dry spell. But unfortunately for many of us, all of the warnings in the world are not enough to prevent such accidents.

The reason for that is frequently associated with motorists’ failure to follow important driving tips that would help them to always be protected whenever it’s rainy outside.

So we may help our readers to understand exactly what it means to avoid accidents while driving on a wet road, we decided to develop a list filled with tips that, when taken seriously, may help you to stay safe at all times and through any type of rain.

Ask Yourself This Simple Question

Before hitting the road, ask yourself: has this rain followed a long dry spell? If the answer is yes, keep in mind that engine oil and even other types of grease that have been building up during the dry period are now mixed with rain water. As a result, the pavement becomes extra slippery.

While long periods of rain will eventually help to wash away all of the debris and grease built up over time, early periods of rain after dry spells may be the hardest, most difficult ones for drivers. If you want to avoid risks associated with the grease mixed with the rainfall, avoid hitting the road in the first hours of rain.

Plan Ahead

Whenever it rains, the traffic becomes somewhat harder to navigate mostly because drivers slow down. But they are not slowing down because they do not know what they are doing; most of them slow down to avoid accidents altogether. According to several experts, allowing for more travel time could help you to avoid accidents whenever it rains.

Checking for alternative routes ahead of time could also help since commonplace or popular routes may be flooded or even jammed with so many cars. Whether you change the routes or not, keep in mind that if you try to rush, things may not go the way you hoped.

The Art of Avoiding Accidents With Your Brakes

Experts are clear: if it rains, brake earlier! By using less force and giving your car more time to slow down and stop, you ensure your vehicle has a greater stopping distance between the car and the vehicle ahead. The greater distance gives you more time to react to avoid accidents. But that’s not all, when you give yourself more time to slow down, the driver following behind will also know he or she is supposed to slow down as well.

Slow Down When Making That Turn

Using turn signals is always important to ensure others know what your intentions are, but turning and taking curves with caution and less speed is also important—especially when it’s raining. Also, stay away from the side lanes whenever possible since most of the water runs off to the sides. Driving through deep, standing puddles may not be good for your car and it could cause you to lose control over your car, increasing the risk of accidents. Too often, puddles cover huge cracks or road gaps that could be highly damaging to your tires and overall car health.

Lights Always On

Whether the rain is just a sprinkle or Armageddon, your headlights should always be on. But why, you ask. Because lights help you to see the road ahead while also making sure others see you as well.

While lights are necessary, high beams should not be used in the rain. If your vehicle is equipped with foglights, make use of them instead.

For more tips on how to stay safe when it rains, follow this link for a full list of very helpful tips.