We are known to have downpours lasting a whole day and at times for just a few moments, in any case rain is still blamed for thousands of accidents yearly. Many of these accidents are preventable, but are caused by drivers who do not realize that fair and foul weather driving are different.

When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver vision of what’s ahead. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

• Practice extreme caution after a long dry spell.  During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slippery. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.
• Allow for more travel time.  You should plan to drive at a slower speed than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There’s also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.
• Brake earlier and with less force. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind know that you are slowing down. Also, be more careful about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.
• If you see a large puddle ahead, drive around it or choose a different route. It could be that it’s covering a huge hole or an uncovered manhole. Well, maybe not, but water splashing up into your car’s engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems. Also, a pothole may be hiding under the water, just waiting to damage a wheel or knock your suspension out of alignment. If you can’t measure the depth or its covering up the side walk, try to avoid it.
• After you cross a puddle, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your brake rotors.
• Turn on your headlights, even when there’s a light sprinkle. It helps you see the road, and more importantly, its helps other motorists see you. If your car is equipped with fog lamps, switch them on, they will be helpful to you.
• Watch out for pedestrians. An ordinary pedestrian may become distracted with trying to get shelter from the downpour or trying to open up an umbrella for protection.  Rain drops also deaden sound.
• If it is raining so hard that you cannot see the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out.
• Track the car ahead of you.  Let the car in front of you pave a clear path through the water, you will come to know if there are any road hazards awaiting you by doing this and be prepared.
• Give a truck or bus extra distance.  The extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely.  Avoid passing one, but if you must, do it as quickly as safety allows.
• Defog your windows.  Rain will quickly fog your windows. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air conditioning is turned on. Most car’s climate control systems will automatically engage the A/C when the windshield defrost function is selected.

In a perfect world, rainy days would find us hanging out at our favorite place, coffee shop or bar or staying at home and watching television. Reality is that, you would still have to go out in the rain to drive to work or pick up your loved one.  Taking a few precautions and using wet-weather driving techniques will keep you from ending up dripping wet on the shoulder of the road waiting for a tow truck or the police; or even worse.