We can get spoiled here in Florida over the winter months. Gorgeous weather, lots of sunshine, and virtually no rain make for perfect driving conditions. But anyone who has lived here during the summer months understands that the rainy season is a whole different situation. Not only can storms come up out of nowhere, but the precipitation during a Florida rainstorm can be heavy, significantly impacting visibility and road surfaces.
We are only about a month away from the Sarasota area skies opening up daily, so now is a great time to discuss the necessary safety precautions you should take on a wet road.
Florida Rainstorm Precautions
Before the rainy season begins, bring your car in for a complete check-up. It is essential to ensure that your vehicle is in proper operating condition. You’ll want to check the headlights, taillights, and windshield wipers to ensure they are all working and check the tire tread. Balding tires are far more likely to lose traction and slide on wet roads.
Driving in the Rain
- Turn on your Headlights: Drivers should keep their headlights on for the best visibility while operating a vehicle during a rainstorm, whether it is day or night. Having your headlights on will also help other drivers see you more clearly. The general rule – and in many cases, the law – is “wipers on, lights on.”
- Watch your Speed: Visibility is reduced when it rains, and the rain will also cause slick pavement. Drivers should travel at a slower speed and take turns slowly and carefully. Assume that all drivers are moving at a slower pace as well.
- Keep your Distance: State law requires you to drive at a safe distance at all times, but the practice is even more important when the roads are wet. It takes longer for cars to brake on wet pavement, and other drivers can be more unpredictable.
- Pay attention: Keep focused with both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. Turn off the cruise control and take full control of the vehicle so you can respond quickly to any sudden circumstances.
- Be Wary of Hydroplaning: Hydroplaning occurs when the car or truck you are driving slides uncontrollably across a wet road surface. This results from the vehicle’s tires encountering more water than their treads can successfully displace. If your car begins hydroplaning, let up on the gas pedal and continue steadily forward. Be sure not slam on your brakes, as your car could spin out of control.
- Check the Ventilation: Vehicle windows can become foggy during a rainstorm because of the increased humidity inside the car. Drivers should equalize the temperature between the inside and outside of the car, which will reduce the fog on the windows. If visibility becomes too difficult, pull over until you can dissipate the fog.
- Avoid Standing Water: Standing water on the roadway can camouflage debris, potholes, or bumps, and a driver can misjudge the depth of the water. Even on a familiar roadway, drivers should turn around rather than drive through the water. Just 6 inches of water can flood most vehicles, which could cause them to stall and strand the driver. Rising water can quickly become a dangerous situation, so be careful.
Drivers should be cautious in the early days of summer. Fluid buildup on the roads hasn’t been washed away for many months and can create slick patches after only a few drops, especially during a rainstorm.
Florida drivers need to ensure that they are properly insured before hitting the road, no matter the season. If you need advice as to the appropriate level of auto insurance required, call the team at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group.
