Driving in the rain is something that occurs regularly in Vancouver. Rain makes it difficult to stay aware of your surroundings and blurs your vision. Staying safe is best not only for yourself but also for your passengers and fellow drivers on the road. Should trouble strike, our 24/7 roadside assistance Vancouver service is the best way to have peace of mind in knowing our knowledgable staff have your back any time, anywhere.
Although it’s incredibly troublesome and dangerous to drive in the rain, there are some things you can do to stay safe and brush up your driving skills.
Here are some of ICBC’s tips for driving in poor conditions, and here are ours:
Drive With Extra Caution
Our top tip for driving safely in the rain is to slow down and be particularly wary. The wetter the roads, the slower you should be driving. Just like in the snow, you shouldn’t make any sharp turns or sudden brakes.
Reduce Speed & Increase Following Distance
In addition to slowing down, you should be increasing the following distance between you and the car in front of you. Because it takes longer for cars to react (speed up and stop) in wet road conditions, it’s advised that you keep at least a cars’ distance between you and the car in front.
Stay Manual
While cruise control is a convenient modern invention created to make our lives easier, it should be avoided at all costs during dangerous or abnormal road conditions like rain or snow. While it’s great for the car to drive itself at cruising speed, the car can’t see what’s going on around you and increases the chances of a loss of control.
Avoid Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning occurs when your tires can’t grip on the ground beneath, causing them to spin and your vehicle to slide out of control. Keep your speeds slow so you can react if you need to make an unexpected stop.
Make Use of Headlights
Use your headlights but avoid using your high beams during rainy weather as the high power could cause high reflectivity and affect your visibility, as well as the visibility of other drivers on the road.
Be Cautious Around Large Trucks & Vehicles
As per usual, it’s always wise to drive extra cautiously around large trucks and vehicles as they are more prone to a loss of control, especially in extreme weather conditions. Keep a big following distance between yourself and the large vehicle, and drive further away from their lane.
If you find yourself in trouble on the road on a rainy day, get in touch with us. Our 24/7 roadside assistance Vancouver is aimed at keeping you safe during all hours of the day.