Wet roads and rain are a major cause of auto accidents. In fact, wet roads and rain cause more auto accidents than snow, sleet or fog. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study that found 73% of weather-related accidents happen on wet pavement. Similarly, they found that 46% of weather-related accidents happen when it is raining. Not all vehicles are prepared to drive in wet conditions. To increase your safety, make sure to prepare your vehicle for driving on wet roads.
How-to Prepare Your Vehicle for Driving on Wet Roads: Bad Weather Safety
Tires
A good tire for wet conditions will push water out of the way to increase traction. Summer tires and all-season tires are the best for handling water and wet conditions. Winter tires are not ideal for rainy conditions. Depending on your climate, you may need to consider switching to a different type of tire.
Additionally, it is important to properly maintain your tires for driving on wet roads. Tread is what helps to move the water out of the way for better traction, so you need to monitor your tire’s tread levels. If the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch, it is time to replace the tires. Bald tires can lead to hydroplaning. Also, make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Make sure to check the air in your tires more often in the winter due to decreases in pressure as the temperature drops. The correct tire pressure will be listed inside the drivers door or in your owners manual so that you do not over-inflate or under-inflate your tires.
Windshield
When they start to wear out, make sure to replace your windshield wiper blades. If they are not in good shape, the wiper blades will not move water off of your windshield. This could make it hard to see while you are driving. You will know it is time to change them when they start streaking the windows or making a chattering sound. Also, it is a good idea to apply a product like Rain-x to your windshield. This product makes the water bead up and move off your windshield more easily, leading to improved visibility. If you can see out your windshield, you will be much safer and have a less likely chance of an accident when driving on wet roads.