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Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away: Learn How to Drive in Rainy Conditions Safely

It is no secret that Southern California does not get as much rain as other parts of the country. In fact, there have been songs written about this. This means that when it does rain, it can be even more dangerous to drive than it is in other parts of the country. Keep reading for safe driving tips but if you are injured in a car accident in which someone else was at fault, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.

Driving Tips to Follow When it is Raining

If you are not used to driving in the rain on a regular basis, not only could you end up in danger of causing a car accident but you could also injure someone in a pedestrian accident or bike accident. These tips can help you avoid being injured or causing injury to another person:

  • Check your tires. If you know rain is coming, take the time to check your tires. If your tires are bald, then your traction on wet roads can be reduced. This will make it harder to stop no matter what speed you are going.
  • Slow down. It is always wise to drive more slowly when there is any type of bad weather. When it is raining and the roads are slick, it takes longer to stop. Driving slower means that you will have extra time to stop if necessary.
  • Do not drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you. Likewise, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Should they have to stop suddenly, you do not want to hit them.
  • Stay in the middle lane when on the freeway. If you are driving on the California freeway and you have the option to drive in the middle lane, do so. Water tends to accumulate more quickly on the outside lanes.
  • Be aware of buses and large trucks. Both types of vehicles can cause significant spray from their tires. If this happens too close to you, it can make it hard to see.
  • Avoid slamming on the brakes. Of course, if you must slam on your brakes due to an emergency then that may be your only option. However, if you know in advance that you need to slow down or stop, do so by removing your foot from your accelerator and slowly reduce your speed.
  • Watch out for brake lights but do not always react. You do want to be alert for brake lights ahead of you that indicate the vehicle in front of you has stopped. However, if everyone starts tapping their brakes, it could cause a chain reaction behind you that could be quite dangerous. Take note of brake lights but decide based on the facts if you should brake yourself.
  • Use your headlights. It is simple: If you have your windshield wipers on then you should have your headlights on.

If you do end up in an accident in which someone else was at least partially at fault, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.