Driving in Wet Weather

Driving in Wet Weather

In Texas, you can expect wacky weather. One day you wake up, and it’s in the 40s and the next day you're pulling out your flip-flops for 70-degree weather. So that means wet weather season can pop up out of nowhere. And with it being a while since any of us Texans driven in wet weather, we might need a few helpful tips to get us to our destination safely.

According to AAA, spring and summer showers have contributed to almost 1.2 million traffic crashes each year. They have come up with a few helpful tips to keep us safe if we're ever caught in the rain while driving.

• Safety starts before you drive, and your goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive.
• Proper tire tread depth and inflation are imperative to maintaining good traction on wet roadways. Check tread depth with a quarter inserted upside down into the tire groove.
•  Avoid using cruise control. Most modern cars feature cruise control. This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet conditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can increase.
• Slow down and leave room for others. Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning when the tires rise up on a film of water. 

Responding to a Skid

Even careful drivers can experience skids. If a driver feels their car begin to skid, it’s important to not panic and follow these basic steps:

• Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the driver wants the car to go.
• Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.

If you feel the car begin to skid, continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Don’t panic, and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.

Williams Group Auto

These tips are great to remember during these type of conditions. Another way to keep safe on the road is driving a reliable vehicle you can trust. Williams Group Auto has a great selection of certified pre-owned vehicles in Abilene; you can trust to get you where you need to go safely. Stop by one of our three locations or check us out at www.williamsgroupauto.com to view our virtual showroom, apply for credit, or use our loan calculator. Come see us today!