7 Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio is known for its sunshine, but it also sees its fair share of rain. The rainy season lasts from April to October, but precipitation can fall at any time of the year. Since the risk of car accidents increases during inclement weather, driving in the rain in San Antonio, TX, can be stressful. Fortunately, you’ll feel empowered instead of stressed by following these safety tips.

1. Make Sure Your Car Is Safe to Drive

You don’t want to risk driving a damaged or malfunctioning car when it’s raining. Make sure the following are in good working condition:

• Brake Lights
• Fog Lights
• Headlights
• Turn Signals
• Windshield Wipers
• Brakes
• Tires

You might need a more detailed inspection if you’ve recently been in an accident. Undetected frame damage and other issues can impact handling and safety when driving in rainy conditions. Contact Red McCombs Superior Auto Body Shop for car repair in San Antonio, TX, if you’ve been in an accident.

2. Reduce Your Speed By One-Third

Some motorists drive full speed in the rain, but that’s dangerous. Wet, slippery roads impact traction, so slow down to allow your tires to grip the road. Reducing your speed by one-third can help you maintain control of your car when driving on wet pavement.

3. Avoid Big Puddles and Flooded Roads

Flash flooding is a serious concern when driving in rainy conditions in San Antonio and the rest of Bexar County. Stay at home if there’s a high risk of flash flooding. Also, avoid driving through standing water since it can damage your car.

Turn around if you notice flooding on the road ahead. Also, protect your car from potholes by driving around them.

4. Give Yourself Ample Time to Stop

Your car needs more time to stop when driving in the rain. If you try to stop suddenly, your car could skid off the road or into another vehicle. Prevent this by keeping a safe distance from other cars.

You’ll give yourself enough stopping time by maintaining a six-second following distance from all vehicles in front of you. Time the distance by focusing on a fixed object, such as a road sign. Start counting when the vehicle in front of you passes the object. You should pass the same object six seconds later.

5. Stay Calm and Regain Control When Skidding

Your car can start skidding if your tires lose traction for just a moment. Slamming on the brakes or jerking the wheel can worsen the situation and cause an accident. Take your foot off the gas and brake, and focus on the direction you want the car to go in. Then, gently turn the wheel in that direction until your car regains stability.

6. Only Switch Lanes when Necessary

Have you ever noticed that your car slips a bit when switching lanes when it’s raining? Before switching lanes, you were following tracks left by other cars. Those tracks make it much easier for your tires to grip the road. When you switch lanes, your tires leave those tracks and travel on slippery roads again.

If you have to switch lanes, make sure no other vehicles are around in case you lose control. Then, slowly move to the other lane and regain control if you skid.

7. Optimize Visibility

You can expect reduced visibility when driving in rainy conditions in San Antonio, TX. Fortunately, you can do a few things to help you see and be seen when on the road.

First, always turn on your headlights when driving in the rain. Don’t turn on your hazards, though, since that can make it harder for other motorists to see.

Next, be ready to turn on your windshield defroster if your windshield is foggy. Cracking a window can also help combat fog, but it’s not always an option when it’s pouring down rain.

Finally, ensure your windshield is free of cracks and other damage that impacts visibility. Red McCombs Superior Body Shop provides windshield repair and replacement in San Antonio, TX. Schedule an appointment if your windshield isn’t ready for rainy weather.

Get Your Car Ready for the Rain at Red McCombs Superior Body Shop

You never know what weather tomorrow will bring, so don’t put off car repair in San Antonio, TX. Schedule a free estimate at Red McCombs Superior Body Shop to identify hidden damage, repair your windshield, and more.