Spring is almost here and that means that the weather will begin to change. Some of the change is pleasant and welcome like buying a new Buick, or GMC. The trees start to get their leaves back, the temperatures are rising which makes being outside enjoyable again, and the cool breeze can allow you to open your home windows and turn off the heater. But some of the changes can make life a little more difficult, especially while driving, and that mostly comes from the rain. While accidents can happen at any time, the chances start to increase with bad weather, and knowing how to be a better driver during and after the rain falls can help protect you and your car.
If you are driving on roads that have experienced rain for the first time in a couple of weeks, you have to take extra caution. While it may not seem like too much water is on the road, the little bit that there is can loosen up all the oil, grease, and dirt that has dried on the asphalt. This can turn any road into the world’s largest slip and slide, causing you to have trouble braking and turning over this slick surface. If you are planning on driving on wet roads, be sure to give yourself more travel time so you don’t feel like you are running late which may cause you to drive less safely.
While driving, keep extra distance between your car and the car in front of you. This will give you more time to brake and adjust to any other situation in front of you. If you do need to brake, do so earlier and with less force than you normally would. If you slam on your brakes, your tires may lose traction on the wet and slippery road and it may cause you to lose control of your vehicle. If you are on a highway or multi-laned road, drive in the middle lane or the lane farthest from the curb. Water can accumulate in places that you may not see causing you to hydroplane.
If you start to hydroplane, take your foot off the pedal and allow your tires to catch up with the speed you are going. Don’t accelerate or brake, because this will cause your car to veer, and hold the wheel firmly to avoid causing your wheels to change directions. Driving on wet roads means more caution is needed so be sure to act accordingly. If you are looking for a new car for any kind of weather, then be sure to come into Freeman Grapevine.