Driving in The Rain

The rain has come and we can’t stop it. But most of us will know that this is the thing that happens every 4 or so years, thanks to “El Niño”. This is not an excuse for dangerous driving, however. So we at DataTech Business Centre have put together a few tips for those about to hit the road.

Rain Driving Tips

All-Season Tires

Expensive, yes, but the peace of mind and safety they bring is tremendous. You may think your “regular” tires may do the job, and they might, for light rain, but not for the stuff we are seeing right now. All-season tires are made of special rubber and become softer the colder the temperature, allowing for a much better grip. Regular tires become harder when the temperature drops, making it harder to get a grip on the road. Realistically, in the weather, everyone on the island should have a good pair of all-season tires. If you buy a good set now, they could last up to a decade!

Look Ahead

Steer where you want to go, not where you are going. Looking far ahead on the road in this weather will allow you to see upcoming obstacles, rain puddles and the dreaded black ice. By looking ahead, you can see what traffic is doing, allowing you to get the upper hand when you need to brake hard or avoid an accident. This is good to practice all year round, but it is even more important now.

Look Before You Change Lanes

Rain likes to pile up on the sides of the road. As cars and trucks drive by they push the rain between the lanes. This results in a huge puddle, which can cause hydroplaning. When you are looking to switch lanes, be careful of these big puddles. If you are speeding or switch lanes too quickly, these puddles will throw your car into a spin and cause an accident. Just be careful and do not change lanes when there is a large amount of water.

Distance

If you tailgate in good weather, then you need to be re-tested. But if you tailgate in rain, maybe your car should be taken away. It is harder to brake hard in the rain, duh. So make sure you keep your distance. If you find yourself having to brake hard, try to feather the brakes to create that ABS affect.

We hope these rainy day driving tips to help you make it to the DataTech Business Centre safe. We will have a hot coffee waiting for you.