Wet weather causes roads to become slippery, creating some potentially hazardous driving conditions that can make travel difficult. Stay safe when navigating the roads around Rockville, MD in the rain by following these tips.
Keep Your Car Clean and Maintained
Making sure your vehicle is in good working order before you hit the road is the first step towards safely navigating wet conditions. Keep your vehicle clean so that your view is unobstructed by dirt or other grime. It’s also even more important to keep your vehicle well maintained in difficult conditions, as any problem with your vehicle can become exasperated by the conditions you face.
Know the Route You’re Taking
Driving on unfamiliar roads in challenging conditions leaves you at an even greater risk. You may be caught off guard by a sudden turn that you didn’t have time to prepare for. Stick to roads that you know well whenever possible when faced with rainy conditions. That will help you be prepared for everything that lies ahead of you on your drive.
Double-Check Your Vehicle’s Equipment
There are a few things your car is equipped with that are specifically for handling rain and wet roads. Make sure that your tires have a decent tread, as bald tires have a greater chance of losing traction on a slippery road. Also make sure that the windshield wipers are in good condition so you can keep your windshield unobscured, and make sure your headlights and taillights are working properly.
Switch On Your Headlights
Keeping your lights in working order is important, but you also have to know when to use them. Whether you’re driving during the day or at night, you should always have your lights on when driving in the reduced visibility of the rain. A good guideline to follow to remind yourself is that you should always have your lights on if your windshield wipers are on. This will help increase your visibility to other drivers.
Drive at a Careful Speed
One of the main risks that wet roads pose is that you have an increased risk of losing control of your vehicle. Driving at fast speeds makes it more difficult for your tires to get proper traction on the road, further exacerbating this issue. Reduce your speed when faced with rain to avoid hydroplaning and putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
Don’t Drive in Extreme Conditions
While some rain can be manageable to handle on your drive, you should never feel like you have to travel if you don’t feel comfortable driving. Postpone any non-emergency plans you have until after conditions clear up, if necessary. You should also be prepared to pull over in heavy rainfall if it gets to the point that visibility is greatly reduced from water on your windshield.
Make sure your vehicle is in top-notch shape and get even more tips for handling challenging weather, like ensuring you have the proper tires for winter. Get directions to DARCARS Nissan of Rockville today, where our service center will help you get your car ready for any weather condition.
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