Wet weather hazards, what to watch for

Even the slightest bit of rain can be dangerous.

Before motorists have to deal with snow in the winter, they’ll encounter more wet conditions in the fall. Rain can cause surfaces to become slick, especially near intersections, particularly after it has been dry. Rainwater can mix with oil and other vehicle fluids that have leaked into the pavement.

Driving.ca notes that even with good tires, braking on wet pavement is about half as effective as on dry pavement. If, for example, a child darts out between cars in a residential area, or a car or pedestrian cuts across your path, a vehicle travelling at 48 km/h will require 37 metres to stop when it’s wet, about the length of three school buses. Reducing that 48 km/h to 32 km/h cuts the stopping distance by more than half, to just 18 metres. Even a little slower is safer.

Driving in a downpour has obvious risks, but a 2019 study published in the journal Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society highlights how even light precipitation can increase the dangers. The results found that precipitation increases the overall risk of a fatal car crash by about 34%. The risk was worse during winter and the morning rush hour.

Researchers analyzed past radar data to identify the weather at the recorded time and location of 193,840 reported fatal crashes across the U.S. from 2006 through 2011. They found the risk increased by about 26% and 146% for light and heavy precipitation, respectively.

Remember, speed limits are set for ideal conditions, not for when it’s raining. Driving safely means slowing down.

Michelin Canada offers drivers some tips on how to handle rain behind the wheel.

“Wet weather doesn’t receive the same attention as winter weather but it should,” the tire company’s website says. “Wet roads present similar dangers, less grip and longer stopping distance, for example.”

Michelin advises:

• Check your tread – Make sure your tires offer the proper amount of tread.
• Keep both hands on the wheel – Drive with two hands at all times.
• Slow down before turning – Reduce your speed before the turn and maintain a consistent speed throughout it.
• Steer smoothly – Avoid any sudden steering wheel movements while turning.
• Brake before the turn – Brake only in a straight line before the turn and do so gradually, and be careful if you need to brake during the turn.
• Increase your following distance – Leave significantly more space between you and other cars.
• Ease off if you hydroplane – If you start hydroplaning, don’t accelerate or brake suddenly. Keep your foot lightly on the gas and steer the car forward until your tires regain traction.

What is hydroplaning?

Heavy rain can create puddles or standing water on the road, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. When this happens, your tires slip and stop responding to steering, braking or accelerating, and your vehicle can skid or spin. It happens when your tires can't clear the water fast enough. The water builds up in front of the tire until the tire loses contact with the road.

To regain control, don't hit the brakes suddenly. Instead, ease off the gas gently until you slow down and regain traction. If you keep your foot on the gas, your vehicle could move in the wrong direction once your wheels regain traction.

How to avoid it

• Check your tire pressure – Check it monthly, since pressure below 30% of what's recommended greatly increases the risk of hydroplaning.
• Check your tread depth – Check the tread depth on all of your tires monthly.
• Slow down near standing water – Reduce speed when approaching large puddles or standing water.

Rain also reduces visibility. The Official Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Handbook recommends that motorists:

• Match speed to visibility – Drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see, since water can make brakes less effective.
• Maintain your wipers – Make sure windshield wipers are in good condition, and replace blades that streak instead of cleaning the windshield.
• Stick to clear sections of road – Look ahead and plan your movements, since smooth steering, braking and accelerating reduces the chance of skids.
• Leave more following distance – Leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead in case you need to stop, which also helps you avoid spray that makes it harder to see.
• Steer around puddles – Puddles can hide potholes that damage your vehicle or flatten a tire, and the spray can obstruct other drivers’ vision, harm nearby pedestrians or stall your engine.

Sometimes an accident happens, even when you've done everything you can to prevent it. In the event of a mishap, call police and a VIU by HUB broker for immediate assistance.