Driving Safely on Wet Roads

Springtime in Tennessee may be beautiful, but it also comes with plenty of rainfall on the roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 50 percent of accidents happen each year as a result of wet driving conditions. Here are a few tips to keep you in control this rainy season (and any other rain shower year-round for that matter).

Windshield wipers and headlights go hand in hand. If your windshield wipers are turned on, your headlights should be turned on as well. This makes you more visible to other drivers and allows you to see the roadway. Not to mention, it’s a Tennessee law.

Turn off the cruise control. The cruise control feature on your vehicle is intended for dry road conditions only. If you drive over pooling rainwater and hydroplane while this feature is turned on, your car could be propelled forward resulting in a total loss of control. Avoid this disastrous scenario by keeping the cruise control feature turned off on rainy days.

Increase your stopping distance. Be sure to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. It can take up to three times the normal distance to stop your car on a wet road, so slow down and hang a little further back just to be cautious.

These are just a few wise words to keep you and your loved ones safe on the roads this rainy season. Buckle up and stay tuned for more to come!