23 Safe Driving Tips For Fog and Rain

23 Safe Driving Tips For Fog And Rain

Winter driving brings hazards with rain and fog testing driver skills

23 Safe Driving Tips For Fog And Rain 

Great Tips to keep you safe while driving on wet, foggy, winter roads

By D. S. Mitchell

 

Rain And Fog

I live in the Pacific Northwest. Although we don’t see much snow, Mother Nature keeps us on our toes with lots of rain and fog. Of course, rain happens all the time, all over the world. Despite wet roads people need to get from place to place. But rainy weather can bring really slick roads, causing skids, hydroplaning, and collisions. A second weather hazard we see a lot of in my area is fog. Fog can make driving difficult; what I really mean is, when the two hazards come together the danger doubles. When things turn grey and wet remember there are some common sense driving tips to keep you safe.

Twenty-Three Smart Tips For Driving In Rain And Fog

  1. Do Not Drive, Unless You Must: Heavy rain often brings flooding, it is often better to stay where you are and wait until the worst has passed before you hit the road. During heavy fog events, my best advice is hang out where you are; if at all possible. When fog combines with rain, it just doubles the driving hazards.
  2. Slow Down: Be smart. Slow down when the rain starts, as fresh rain will bring out the oils on the roadway and make road surfaces slick. Rain means you need to plan for a longer travel time. All traffic will be moving slower, and you too need to slow down. Hydroplaning is a dangerous phenomenon that most often occurs when vehicles are driving too fast. Slowing down gives you additional time to react in poor visibility. Lastly, driving at a reduced speed will make it easier to stop-which should be done by taking your foot off the accelerator and braking as gently as possible.
  3. Say ‘No’ To Cruise Control: Using cruise control during wet and foggy weather can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You may be required  to reduce speed by easing off the accelerator to prevent traction loss, but this is not possible when using cruise control. It is paramount that the driver remain fully engaged during wet/foggy weather. Foggy roads can have surprises waiting and it makes sense to maintain complete control of your car. As such, cruise control should be avoided.
  4. Defroster Time: This one should be obvious. To avoid windshield fogging that can interfere with your visibility just turn on your front and rear defrosters to keep your glass clear. Be sure to check windshield wipers, and headlights too. Windshield wipers can clear water fast, while lights give you and other drivers better visibility in the rain and dark. Be sure such items are in working order.
  5. Maintain Safe Distancing: You should always maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Staying back gives you more time to react to what’s up ahead. Watch for brake lights ahead of you. Leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you. Decreased visibility means longer braking times, so that added space is your buddy, your friend. Slow down. It may take you longer to get to your destination, but your safe arrival is worth it.
  6.  Don’t Speed Up When Another Driver Is Tailgating You. It can be tempting to leave the guy in the dust. I can understand the urge to “lose” the guy who is right on your tail, but it can actually make your situation more dangerous. In heavy rain and fog it is important to stick to a safe, sensible speed, even if other drivers don’t. Allow such drivers to get by as soon as possible. Now is not the time to up the ante.
  7. Lights On: If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be, too. Headlights can help increase your visibility during the rain and fog by making it easier for other drivers to see you. Making yourself as visible as possible might be what prevents a collision and potential injuries.
  8. Speaking Of headlights: If you are facing foggy conditions, ditch the high beams. Low beams are much better for driving in fog. If you think your current headlights are not bright enough in low beam mode, you might consider headlight replacement. Check with your dealer or local auto service person.
  9. Follow The Fog Line: Don’t be afraid to slow down and drive cautiously along the right side of the roadway. Let the solid white line and roadside reflectors help guide you. There is a reason the solid white line that divides the shoulder from the road is called the ‘fog line.’ Driving in the fog can be scary and dangerous, so my best advice for driving in fog is-DON’T.
  10. No Hard Braking:  Slow down, give others their space. Use your brakes as little as possible, taking special care to avoid hard braking. Take your foot off the accelerator, so that you won’t have to slam on the brakes, risking your life and others.
  11. No Quick Movements: Gentle steering, light braking, and gentle acceleration are best on wet roads. Check your mirrors before slowing down, and gently apply your brakes. The earlier you can tap your brakes the better. Your brake lights will alert drivers behind you that you are slowing down, and you won’t catch them by surprise with a sudden stop.
  12. Avoid Areas Prone To Flooding: Know which roads in your area are likely to flood and take an alternate route if your area is experiencing heavy rains.
  13. Don’t Be Foolhardy, Turn around: Driving into flooded roadways is dangerous and can be deadly. If you foolishly drive into a road that’s flooded too deeply, your car could begin to float and take on water. It can even be washed away — with you in it. Don’t risk it. If you’re not sure how deep the water is, turn around and find another route.
  14. Don’t Off-Road During Rain Storms: It may sound like fun, kicking up some mud, but you may become stuck in puddles that you can’t judge the depth of. Don’t drive through moving water if you can’t see the bottom. Best idea, stay home until the weather clears.
  15. Skid Control: If your car begins to skid, don’t panic. Continue to steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on your brakes, as such action is likely to cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
  16. Hydroplaning Hysteria: If your car starts to hydroplane, gently ease your foot off the gas and avoid steering. Just slow down and hold on until your vehicle regains contact with the road.
  17. Drive-In Another Vehicle’s Tracks: Make it easy for your tires to handle the water and see what’s up ahead by following in the tracks of a vehicle ahead of you — give them plenty of space. A special note here, resist the common urge to use the lights of any vehicles in front of you as a guide. This can actually cause you to focus too much on the narrow patch of landscape in front of you; causing you to miss other dangers.
  18. Stay Away From Buses And 18 Wheelers: The spray created by large tires can reduce your visibility, so stay away from them if possible. Freeway passing is especially dangerous when confronted with these big rigs.
  19. Gusty Winds: With rain often comes strong wind gusts, which can push your car and other vehicles around on the road recklessly. To keep control, maintain a firm grip on your steering wheel, and give a wide berth to high profile vehicles that may be more susceptible to wind.
  20. Watch For Walkers And Bikers:  Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Take care not to splash them by driving too close to the right side of the road. Watch for puddles along the roadway where they may be walking or riding parallel to you as you drive.
  21. Drive In The Middle Of Lanes: Water tends to pool off to the side of the road. So, conditions are likely to be drier if you stay in the middle lanes. By staying away from the shoulder, you’re also less likely to inadvertently splash water on pedestrians or cyclists. It also helps to drive in the tire tracks of a vehicle in front of you; though make sure to keep back a safe distance.
  22. Tire Checks: Your tires are your best friend in wet weather driving, providing traction and keeping you steady on the road. Check your tread and tire pressure on a regular basis to make sure you’re ready to hit the road even when it’s wet.
  23. Pull Over If It Gets Bad: If you can’t see cars in front of you, or are having trouble controlling your vehicle, simply pull over and wait for the rain to slow down, or the fog to lift. If you choose to pull over and wait it out be sure to turn on your hazard lights. The key to driving in these hazardous conditions is to remember than everyone is having trouble seeing. So, play it safe by getting well out of the way, and using your lights to let other drivers know where you are. Pulling into a gas station or other roadside venue is also a great idea.

Keeping up on your car maintenance is essential. In wet and foggy situations it is important that you have a safe ride; good tires, working lights, and good effective windshield wipers.

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