Heavy rain can cause decreased visibility for drivers, in addition to a number of hazardous road conditions for your car.

According to data from NHTSA, adverse weather is associated with 800,000 motor vehicle-related injuries and more than 7,000 fatalities annually.

The National Safety Council offers advice for some road hazards associated with heavy rainfall.

VISIBILITY:
•Turn your vehicle's headlights on. This will help you see better and will allow other drivers to see you.
•Keep your defroster on so the inside of your windsheild stays dry.
•Remember that the reflection in your rear-view mirror may be distorted by raindrops.
•If it is raining so hard that you cannot see the car in front of you, pull over and wait for the storm to ease.

PUDDLES AND SLICKS:
Large puddles can be hard to navigate and can affect a vehicle's brakes, while the spalsh created by driving too fast through a puddle can create a hazard for other motorists. Rain also can cause oil and chemicals to surface on roadways, creating slick conditions. Slow down when driving through puddles. After driving through a puddle, tap the brake pedal lightly to make sure brakes are still working.

AVOID HYDROPLANING
Hydroplaning occurs when the tires of your car lose contact with the road and rise up on water between the tires and the road. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur with half an inch or more of rainwater on the road surface - but the National Safety Council warns it can happen with less water.

Vehicle weight also can play a role in hydroplaning. If your vehicle is light or has too much weight concentrated in the rear, chances of hydroplaning increase. The council advises drivers to slow down to avoid hydroplaning.

Source: National Safety Council • Traffic Safety
Vol. 08 • No. 5 • May 2008

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