Car Safety Features To Help You While Driving In The Rain

We have all heard of the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” Central Florida has seen its fair share of rain this month and with the increased rainwater on the roadways, drivers have to account for changes in road conditions. Drivers will need to adjust their driving habits appropriately- particularly during the first few minutes of rainfall, where motor oil and grease accumulate on the roadway creating a thin, slick film. This build-up is prevalent during the first 10 minutes of a rainfall and can cause drivers to lose control if they slam on their breaks quickly or make a hard turn.

Below are some safety tips for driving in rainy weather conditions, be sure to use your safety features wisely:

• Headlights: Turn on your headlights while driving in the rain- day or night. It’s the law in the State of Florida. This will aid in visibility and allow other drivers to see you better, decreasing
• Defroster: Use this feature to defog your windows. Make sure your air conditioning is turned on, along with the front and rear defrosters.
• Tire Tread: Examine the tread on your tires. Worn tread decreases the traction and increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle- particularly in rainy weather conditions.
• Cruise Control: NEVER use cruise control on wet pavement. This feature may interpret loss of traction as reducing speed and increase acceleration to compensate, which could cause your vehicle to veer dangerously.
• Windshield Wipers and Water Repellent Products: This is an obvious one- but turn on your windshield wipers in the rain. It is also a good idea to use rain repellent products on windows, which can help clear water from your vehicle’s windows.

Below are some tips to help you avoid hydroplaning:

• Reduce your speed, especially around curves
• Steer and brake lightly; sudden corrections can cause you to lose traction and control of your vehicle.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and make sure your tires have proper tread.
• If you do begin to hydroplane, stay calm. Ease off the gas and do not slam on the brakes or jerk the steering wheel.

Hydroplaning can be a terrifying experience and is caused when too much water builds up on the road, creating a sheet of water between the vehicle’s tires and the road, causing the tires to essentially float on the surface. It can only take a matter of seconds for your vehicle to spin completely out of control.

More Car Safety Resources

• Car Safety Features That Can Save Your Life From Michael T. Gibson, P.A. From Michael T. Gibson, P.A.
• Five Car Safety Features That Decrease Your Car Insurance Premiums From Michael T. Gibson, P.A.
• Answers To Common Questions About Car Safety Features From Michael T. Gibson, P.A.
• Five Safety Features That Will Decrease Your Car Insurance Prices From AutoInsureSavings.org

Use Extra Caution When Driving In The Rain

These safety features can help you prevent a car accident, but won’t prevent all car accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash, it is important that you contact an experienced Orlando Car Accident Lawyer, immediately. The insurance company will not automatically pay you the settlement you deserve. At the law office of Michael T. Gibson, our dedicated team of attorneys will fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, etc. following your car accident.

Call us right now at 407-422-4529 or use the form found on this page for your free car accident consultation. We serve all of Central Florida, if you cant’t make it to our office we will come to you, making it easy for you to focus on recovering from your car accident.