Although it seems rare, it does rain in Las Vegas. Eventually, at some point, you will have to drive in the rain. Even if it doesn’t rain for long, rainy conditions, overcast skies, and wet pavement make a dangerous recipe for unsafe driving conditions.
A 10-year study of car crash causes conducted by the Federal Highway Administration found that 22 percent of vehicle crashes were weather-related. Of those crashes, 73 percent were related to wet pavement and 46 percent were linked directly to rain.
How can you avoid becoming part of another year of crash statistics? Take a few simple steps to stay safe while driving in the rain.
Maintain Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades are your primary tool for maintaining your field of vision while driving on rainy days, so keeping them in tip-top working condition is obviously important.
We suggest replacing your blades every six months to a year, depending on how frequently you use them and whether they sustain damage such as metal corrosion, cracks in the rubber edge, or a broken wiper frame.
Other signs of wiper wear and tear include:
- squeaking
- skipping
- smearing
- streaking
- chattering.
You can extend the life of your wiper blades by cleaning your windshield every time you get gas and occasionally cleaning your wiper blades with a damp paper towel to get rid of dirt and build-up.
Replace Worn Tires
Helping to maintain traction in rainy conditions is the main purpose of your tire tread. When the tread is worn to less than 4/32 inch, you increase your risk of hydroplaning or slipping when your tire comes in contact with the damp pavement.
To test the depth of your tire tread, Consumer Reports suggests inserting a quarter into a groove of your tread. If George Washington’s head is flush with the tread, you’ve hit the magic 4/32 inch mark. Less tread than this is a warning sign that your tires are past due for a change.
Slow Down
It may be just a sprinkle, but any amount of precipitation after a dry spell can drastically increase the risk of tire slippage while driving. Drivers should decrease their speed by 5 to 10 miles per hour when it’s raining or while roads are still wet. Another component to keep in mind is that you can be pulled over for driving too fast in rainy conditions even if you aren’t driving faster than the posted speed limit. This is because dry conditions allow dust and oil to build up on road pavement. When the rain starts falling, it mixes with the substances already there, creating a perfect slippery storm. Once the rain has been falling for a while, the risk of slipping actually decreases unless puddles begin forming on roadways and the risk of your tires losing contact with the pavement increases.
Increase Your Following Distance
There are no prizes for driving hazardously in rainy conditions. On dry days with ideal driving conditions, safe drivers should maintain a three-second following distance between themselves and the car in front of them. This gives you enough time to perceive and react to the lead car’s change in speed.
On rainy days, however, most experts suggest increasing your following distance by about two seconds, giving the car in front of you a 5-second lead. There may be a car or two that will sneak into that wide gap, but your goal isn’t to win any races; it’s to arrive at your destination safely.
Conclusion
Even the most cautious drivers can end up in a car crash through no fault of their own. Accidents can happen and victims need a trusted attorney who can get them the benefits they are entitled to. If you suffered injuries after an accident due to a car crash in the rain, at Edward M. Bernstein & Associates, we can help you with your case. Book a free consultation with us today.