Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain and wet roads can reduce vehicle tractionand affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Alwaysdrive slower in these types of driving conditionsand avoid driving through large puddles anddeep-standing or flowing water.{CAUTION:Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might notwork as well in a quick stop and could causepulling to one side. You could lose control ofthe vehicle.After driving through a large puddle of wateror a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brakepedal until the brakes work normally.Flowing or rushing water creates strongforces. Driving through flowing water couldcause your vehicle to be carried away. If thishappens, you and other vehicle occupantscould drown. Do not ignore police warningsand be very cautious about trying to drivethrough flowing water.HydroplaningHydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build upunder your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road is wet enoughand you are going fast enough. When your vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. Thebest advice is to slow down when the road is wet.Other Rainy Weather TipsBesides slowing down, other wet weather driving tipsinclude:• Allow extra following distance.• Pass with caution.• Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.• Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.• Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tireson page 5-56.4-27
