The Buzz: Drive defensively when it is raining

By Marlene Bohr

Driving to work this morning was scary to say the least.  It was raining super hard and I am sure prayers all over the place have been answered. We are told that this rain won’t be enough to stop the drought conditions yet.
When it rains so hard after we haven’t had rain for a long time, the roads can become very slick from deposits of oil mixed with the rain. Also, when it rains so hard, water forms on the road and actually we are driving on water. Just a fraction of an inch can cause any vehicle a lot of problems and result in hydroplaning.  
The first thing I automatically do is slow down to at least 10 miles or more below the posted speed when it is raining. I checked the Internet this morning and Safemotorist.com has some good tips for driving in the rain.
Safemotorist.com offers the following information:  Have you ever skidded while driving on a wet road for what seemed like a split second or even longer? Even if you didn’t lose complete control, you most likely experienced hydroplaning.
The term hydroplaning is commonly used to refer to the skidding or sliding of a car’s tires across a wet surface. Hydroplaning occurs when a tire encounters more water than it can scatter. Water pressure in the front of the wheel pushes water under the tire, and the tire is then separated from the road surface by a thin film of water and loses traction. The result is loss of steering, braking and power control.
Rubber tires have tread (grooves) that are designed to channel water from beneath the tire. This creates higher friction with the road surface and can help prevent or minimize instances of hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning can occur on any wet road surface, however, the first 10 minutes of a light rain can be the most dangerous.
When light rain mixes with oil residue on the road surface, it creates slippery conditions that can cause vehicles, especially those traveling speeds in excess of 35 mph, to hydroplane. This can be a deadly combination for the driver and surrounding motorists.
The chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident increases during poor weather conditions such as fog, rain, ice and snow. However, it isn’t necessarily the pounding rain and blinding snow that are the most dangerous; it is the slick conditions that drivers aren’t prepared for.
The following are important tips to avoid hydroplaning:
· Keep your tires properly inflated.
· Rotate and replace tires when necessary.
· Slow down when roads are wet: the faster you drive, the harder it is for your tires to scatter the water.
· Stay away from puddles and standing water.
· Avoid driving in outer lanes where water tends to accumulate.
· Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.
· Turn off cruise control.
· Drive in a lower gear.
· Avoid hard braking.
· Try not to make sharp or quick turns.
· It is the law in some states and should be in all that people turn on their headlights when it rains. If your windshield wipers are turned on, you automatically should turn on your headlights, whether it is day or night. Share this information with your loved ones and friends and stay safe out there.