6 Tips for Safe Driving in a Rainstorm

Jan 24,2017

Rainstorms swept across southern California this weekend, causing flooding, road closures and flash flood warnings throughout Riverside County. One of the main concerns with wet weather is road conditions. Wet pavement is a factor in about 1.2 million auto accidents every year.

Driving during these rainstorms can be especially challenging to Southern California drivers, who don’t experience very many rainy driving days per year. On Sunday afternoon, two people had to be rescued from a truck in Cajon Pass after getting stuck in a wash on Cajon Boulevard.

How to Drive Safely in the Rain

Keep yourself safe on the roads during a rainstorm with these 6 tips for safely driving in the rain:

Get prepared: Make sure your car is in good shape for driving in the rain. Make sure your tires have adequate tread and pressure. Also ensure windshield wipers, headlights, taillights and brake lights are working properly.
Slow down: This tip seems obvious, but many a crash has occurred because a driver failed to drive at an appropriate speed for the weather. Slowing down when driving on wet roadways reduces you at risk for hydroplaning and losing control of your vehicle.
Keep your headlights on. Rain reduces visibility, so it’s crucial to have your headlights on so other motorists can see you.
Avoid using cruise control. Your car’s cruise control feature is convenient for road trips, but it’s not a smart choice on rainy days. You might need to quickly decelerate when driving in the rain, and cruise control can prevent you from rapidly responding to this need.
Stay back: Stay a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Tailgating is dangerous enough in clear weather—in heavy rain, it can be deadly.
Don’t slam the brakes: If you do end up hydroplaning, don’t slam on your brakes. Continue to look and steer in the direction you are trying to go, and gently squeeze the brakes to slow yourself down.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.