Everybody loves a great car chase scene in the movies. A sense of speed, heavy rain falls, danger, and mastery over the machine is exhilarating to watch on the big screen. But what about when you’re behind the wheel yourself?
Driving in a heavy rainstorm can be a slippery challenge, but with a few tips from the pros, you can navigate wet roads like a champ. Keep reading for Vann York Toyota’s best advice on how to stay safe (and stylish) while driving in bad weather.
Tips For Driving In Heavy Rain
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Slow Down And Take Your Time.
Rain can make even the simplest journeys take longer, so give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. And when we say slow down, we mean it – driving too fast is one of the main causes of accidents in wet weather.
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Use Your Lights.
It may seem obvious, but using your headlights in the rain is crucial. Not only will they assist you in seeing better, but they’ll also make it easier for other drivers to spot you. Ensure you know how to use your car’s different lighting functions before setting off. Don’t forget to dip your headlights when approaching oncoming traffic.
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Keep A Safe Distance From Other Vehicles.
This is important in any driving conditions, but it’s especially important when the roads are wet. It takes longer to brake in rainy weather, so you must give yourself plenty of time and space to stop. The general rule is to leave at least a four-second gap between you and the car in front, but in really bad weather, you might want to increase this to six seconds or more.
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Avoid Sudden Braking Or Steering.
Sudden movements probably cause you to lose control of your car, so it’s best to avoid them if possible. If you need to brake or steer quickly, do it gently and smoothly to avoid skidding.
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Be Extra Careful At Junctions.
It’s harder to see other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists when it’s raining, so take extra care when approaching junctions and ensure you give way to any traffic that has the right of way.
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Keep Your Windscreen And Windows Clean.
Make sure you can see out of your car’s windows before setting off, as dirty windscreens and windows will make it more difficult to see in bad weather.
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Don’t Tailgate.
Following the car in front too closely is dangerous at the best of times. Still, wet weather is even more dangerous as it reduces your ability to stop quickly if they break suddenly.
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Be Prepared For Hydroplaning.
It often happens with bald tires when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road, resulting in your car losing traction with the pavement. If you sense your car is skidding in the lane, take your foot off the accelerator and don’t brake until you feel your car regain contact with the road.
Let Vann York Toyota Help You!
Vann York Toyota, serving High Point, NC, can inspect your vehicle to ensure it’s ready for bad weather. If you’ve been driving through heavy rain and your vehicle isn’t handling as it should, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
We want to help keep you safe on the road!
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