Tag Archives: rain

Apr 28 2023

Bumpy Road



California has received an abundance of rain this year. While the rain does wonders for the environment, it does the opposite for our roads. You might notice more potholes in the roads once heavy rain is over. That’s because water goes into the pavement cracks that are formed by constant travel of vehicles. The water under the road can either freeze and expand, or in warmer temps, can make the soil soft and flexible. The changes in the soil under the road, combined with heavy traffic, cause the road surface to crack and break apart.

Potholes can be dangerous for drivers, as they can cause accidents and severe damage to your vehicle. If you happen to see one in the road ahead, switch lanes if it is safe to do so. If you can’t change lanes, then try to go around it within your lane to avoid hitting it, or safely decrease your speed and drive over the pothole cautiously.

Dec 27 2022

Driving in the Rain

Driving in the rain can be difficult for almost every driver. In fact, the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) states that “the vast majority of most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement and during rainfall.”

Some things you can do to avoid a potential weather-related crash are:

  1. Slow down and give yourself space between other vehicles.
  2. Use your low beam headlights to help you to see better and to make yourself more visible to other drivers.
  3. Ensure that your windshield wipers are in good condition. This is very important as visibility is already bad with rain.
  4. Tire health is also very important. Bad tires can lead to your car sliding and potentially skidding. Check your tread depth and tire pressure regularly.

If you still don’t feel safe about driving in the rain, then postpone your outing if possible.

Sep 30 2021

General Tips to Avoid Skids

Loss of vehicle control can be scary. To help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces, reduce your speed and increase your following distance behind the vehicle ahead.

In addition, you can:

Beware of Icy or Wet Locations

Ice tends to collect in shady areas, under bridges and overpasses, and low points on the road. As a result, on cold days slow down even more when approaching shaded areas, bridges, overpasses, and dips.

Don’t Make Sudden Maneuvers

Sudden changes in acceleration, braking, or fast turns can spin your car out of control and into a skid, especially on an icy or wet road where traction is greatly reduced.

Keep to the Paved Portion of the Road

Don’t drive on the road edge or the shoulder; poorly maintained pavement, gravel or dirt surfaces could cause a loss of vehicle control.

Feb 28 2019

Road Hazard

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Flooded Roadways

3 Second StopExcessive rain can lead to flooded roadways which pose a danger for drivers. Six inches of water on a roadway can impair your car and cause it to stall. Twelve inches of water could cause your vehicle to float. Standing water on the road can hide debris, downed power lines, and sink holes. If at all possible you should attempt to find a different route when you come across a flooded roadway. If you have no other option but to proceed through standing water, then drive very slowly and after you have exited the water, dry your brakes by driving slowly and braking lightly. If you think the water is deeper than six inches, do not attempt to drive through it.

Sep 17 2015

Slip Risk

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Freshly Wet Roads

3 Second Stop
As you may already know, wet roads require extra care when driving. However, were you aware that many roads are the most slippery when it first starts to rain, particularly if it hasn’t rained in a long time? When rain first begins to fall, the accumulated oil on the road will be loosened and mixed with the water, making it even slicker than after it has been raining for a while.

Feb 26 2014

Proceed with Caution: Driving in the Rain

No time to read a long-winded BLOnG? Welcome to the Three-Second-Stop mini-Blog.

Today’s Three Seconds: Rain and Wet Roads

s6rain2_web3 Second StopHere are some quick tips for driving in wet weather:

  • Slow down.
  • Use your low-beams headlights.
  • Drive in the tracks left by the vehicle ahead of you.
  • Be as smooth as possible.
  • Leave extra space to brake.
  • Slow down through deep water.

It takes the average car twice as long to stop on a wet road as on a dry road!

Feb 25 2013

Drive in the Rain? Use Your Brain.

Driving in the Rain

Unlike the popular 80’s song Blame it On the Rain, don’t. What did rain ever do to you besides water your garden and kind-of wash your car?? Though rain is blamed for a gazillion accidents each year, most of these fender-benders are preventable and not the rain’s fault at all. Rather, the true culprits of foul-weather flip-overs are un-brainy drivers failing to concede that they need to save their normal driving habits for another un-rainy day.

Here are a handful of wet-road-reminders for those days when the rain won’t go away:

  • Be very cautious when it first rains after a period of dry weather. Oil and grease gradually build up on the road and when it rainfall hits, your joyful ride can instantly turn into a not so fun slip and slide.
  • As they say, “When it rains, bad traffic pours.” You know traffic will be congested in inclement weather, so give yourself a few extra minutes to arrive safely to your destination.
  • Tailgating, is bad enough. Tailgating when the roads are slick? That’s just plain idiotic. Give yourself bigger space cushions with the cars ahead of you so you have more time to stop safely. Braking by slamming on the brake pedal will make your already rainy day even rainier.
  • Go ahead, show off! Yes, we want you to draw attention to yourself, really!! When it’s raining, everyone’s visibility is hampered. Remember to turn your headlights on (low beams please) and keep your windows defogged. Also, be on the lookout for cars without lights on, pedestrians, and other road hazards that might get lost in the rainy shuffle.
  • Unless you drive a hovercraft, the inner lanes of the road are probably your best bet. Most roads slope downward toward the curb where you’ll find those deep, hard to avoid puddles.
  • You cruise, you lose. If you hydroplane while using cruise control, your car may suddenly and abruptly speed up. Good luck to you When your tires return to the wet road at an accelerated speed. Hopefully you remembered to wear your seatbelt.
  • If your car does start to hydroplane, don’t freak out: jerking the wheel or hitting the brakes are BAD ideas! Instead, ease your foot off the gas and hold the steering wheel firmly until your car regains traction with the road.

What did we learn? Driving conditions will be less than ideal as long as raindrops keep falling on your hood. If you can, stay off the streets when the weather takes a turn for the wet. If you have places to go and people you must see, just remember that not all driving situations were created equal, and when it comes to wet roads, you need to carry yourself with a little extra common sense!