AFFTC/SEG provides tips for driving safely in the rain

  • Published
  • Air Force Flight Test Center Ground Safety Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Driving in the rain at Edwards can be unique. After all the rain we've had recently, the ground is saturated. Because of that, it is important for everybody to be careful in the low lying areas where the water has flooded.

As it stands, driving can be very dangerous, whether on a normal residential street or on a busy freeway. With the advent of cell phones, satellite radio and global positioning systems as standard automobile fixtures, driving distractions are at an all-time high.

Now, with other hazards like rainy conditions added, even the safest driver can have a difficult time.

To combat these stressful driving conditions, here are some tips for driving safely in rainy conditions:

--The first few hours of rain are often the most dangerous. In normal dry weather conditions, the roads become covered with a thin layer of oil from car engines, which goes unnoticed. That is, until the rain begins and the rain mixed with the oil create ultra-slick driving conditions. Be cautious when driving in the rain, but be a little extra cautious when the rain first starts.

-- Be on top of car maintenance to prevent car troubles down the road. In addition, car maintenance will also help a driver during slick road conditions. One of the leading causes of skids and hydroplaning during rainy conditions is low tire pressure and tires with thin and worn tread. To avoid this, check the tire pressure regularly and keep up with all basic maintenance issues. In addition to the automobile's tires, check the windshield wipers to ensure they are in good working condition. Replace them at least once every year to avoid getting caught in a rainstorm with wipers that hardly clear the water from the windshield.

-- When it begins to rain, turn on the headlights, not only is this the law, but also, it allows drivers to better see the cars nearby.

-- When driving in inclement weather, leave earlier than normal to allow more time to drive slower than normal because of the road's condition.

-- The rule of thumb when driving in normal dry conditions is to keep two cars distance between the car in front. Increase this distance when driving in the rain. Have more room in case the need arises to make a quick stop. It has been said that when it is raining, the water tends to collect on either side of the road, so try staying in the middle lane where there will be fewer puddles and less chance of hydroplaning.

-- Experts advise against using cruise control when driving in rainy conditions for two reasons. Firstly, using cruise control tends to make the driver keep their feet away from both the gas and brake pedals. If the driver needs to stop for any reason, their reaction time will be greatly decreased because their foot has to travel a greater distance to reach the pedals. A split second can make all the difference. Secondly, if an automobile does start to hydroplane, this can cause the car to automatically accelerate to pick up the slack and to keep the car going at the established cruise control speed.

--If the rain becomes so heavy that one can hardly see the car in front, pull over to a safe location like a rest stop, gas station or convenience store until the rain begins to clear.

Remember to assess the situation, Consider options to mitigate the risk and take appropriate actions.