Driving In Heavy Rain
Getting stuck driving in heavy rains can be a scary experience. Your car could hydroplane, it’s harder to brake quickly and accidents are much more common. Here are some tips for safe driving in a rainstorm.
Turn your headlights on
Rain reduces visibility on the road, making it harder to see approaching cars and judge distance. Headlights (not bright lights) will help other cars see you more clearly. Many states also have laws that require drivers to turn their lights on whenever the windshield wipers are going.
Slow down
You should always drive at or even below the speed limit when it’s raining, especially on the highway. Slowing down will help you avoid hydroplaning and will make it easier to brake if there is an incident on the road.
Leave room
Tailgating cars and riding bumpers is always dangerous, but it’s particularly bad during a storm. Water on the road makes it harder to stop safely. Your car will slide more on the water, and you might skid if you brake too quickly. Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid an accident.
Don’t turn your hazards on
When it starts pouring rain and visibility is drastically reduced, many people turn on their flashing hazard lights, thinking that will make it easier for other drivers to see them. This is extremely dangerous, and illegal in many states. Hazard lights signal that your car is stopped and can be confusing for approaching cars.
Stop
If at any point you feel unsafe driving in any type of weather, pull over and stop driving. Get off the road or highway and find a parking lot, gas station or restaurant and wait out the storm. If you do happen to be stopped on the side of the road, use your hazard lights.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use my hazard lights when driving in heavy rain?
No. Hazard lights are meant to signal that your vehicle is stopped or disabled, not that you're driving slowly. Using them while moving is illegal in many states and confuses other drivers, who can't tell whether you're stopped, turning, or changing lanes because your turn signals are disabled while the hazards are on. If visibility gets bad enough that you feel unsafe, pull off the road into a parking lot, gas station, or rest area and wait out the storm. Once you're safely stopped on the shoulder, then turn the hazards on.
Do I need to turn on my headlights when it rains?
Yes, and in many states it's the law. Any time your windshield wipers are running, your headlights should be on. Use low beams, not high beams, since high beams reflect off rain and reduce visibility for you and oncoming drivers. Headlights aren't just to help you see; they make your vehicle visible to other drivers when rain reduces contrast and depth perception on the road.
How can I avoid hydroplaning in a heavy rainstorm?
Slow down. Driving at or below the posted speed limit is the single best way to prevent hydroplaning, especially on highways where standing water builds up in tire ruts. Avoid sudden braking, sharp steering, and quick acceleration, since any abrupt input can break tire contact with the road. Keep your tires properly inflated and replace them when tread gets low, because worn tread is the main reason cars hydroplane. If you do start to slide, ease off the gas, keep the wheel pointed where you want to go, and don't slam the brakes.
How much following distance should I leave in the rain?
Increase the gap well beyond the usual three to five seconds. Water on the road extends stopping distance significantly, and slamming on the brakes in rain can cause your tires to skid. A longer gap also gives you more time to spot brake lights and react to incidents ahead, which matter more when visibility is reduced. If the driver behind you is tailgating, slow down gradually and let them pass; never speed up to create space in front.
What should I do if it's raining too hard to drive safely?
Pull off the road. If visibility drops to the point you can no longer see the lane lines or the car ahead, exit the highway or find a parking lot, gas station, or restaurant lot and wait out the storm. Trying to push through is how chain-reaction crashes happen on highways. If you absolutely must stop on the shoulder, get as far from the travel lane as possible, turn on your hazard lights, and stay buckled in until you can safely re-enter traffic.
