Is Driving in the Rain Actually More Dangerous?
We’ve all heard these refrains and variations of them dozens of times.
“Be careful driving, it’s slippery out when it rains.”
“The snow’s coming down hard, stay alert out there.”
“It’s dark out, pay attention to the roads.”
Of course, those statements are all true. When it’s raining, snowing, sleeting, or dark out, you should certainly stay alert and drive slowly and carefully. But is driving in the rain actually dangerous?
Wet Driving Risks and Perils
No, it’s not just a myth. Driving in the rain actually is more dangerous. According to the NHTSA, it’s harder to stop and slow down on wet roads. Drivers need to exercise extra caution when driving in the rain or snow to keep a distance from other drivers so that they have enough time to stop or slow down without risking a collision.
What Speed is Safest in the Rain?
When it comes to best practices for driving during wet road conditions, the first thing to look at is speed. While speeding in its own right is dangerous enough, drivers should never go above the posted speed limit during severe weather events. And while it’s unrealistic to have specific safeguards in place to slow drivers during difficult weather, using strategies to slow drivers regularly makes them, and your streets, more prepared for difficult driving conditions. Tools like radar signs or recycled speed humps slow drivers down and can help protect your roadways in all weather.
Best Practices for Driving in the Rain
Sharing best practices with drivers is a good way to prevent weather-related collisions. Some of the warnings you may want to provide include being careful to NEVER:
- Drive with cruise control while it’s raining
- Drive with lights off while it’s raining
- Change lanes without a turn signal
- Drive through standing water, especially under bridges and overpasses
- Lock brakes or rapidly turn the wheel
And drivers should ALWAYS:
- Give plenty of space to stop in case of an emergency
- Check the integrity of windshield wipers regularly
- Drive with hazard lights on during especially heavy rain
- Stop driving as soon as possible if visibility is impaired by rain
- Use defogger during heavy rain
Severe Weather Alerts
If you live in an area prone to severe weather such as flooding, ice, or snow, it’s advisable to be prepared to inform drivers of evacuation measures or other weather related information that they may need to see in real time. Tools like the VMS30 message sign can help you relate this information to drivers in advance of, and during, storms to keep residents safe and help them travel safely.
Good Weather, No Worries?
If your city is prepared for inclement weather, you may believe you’re in the clear for clear skies and beautiful days. It’s easy to think that your streets are safe and caution is unwarranted in regular, everyday weather situations.
But fatality statistics paint another picture.
A staggering 85% of fatalities happen during clear weather.
Why is driving in perfectly bright weather conditions on roads that aren’t slippery or wet so dangerous?
Perhaps because people tend to let their guard down and assume they don’t need to be particularly alert when there are no weather or lighting issues affecting the roads. Perhaps drivers intrinsically know to exercise caution when driving in the rain.
Either way, your city can mostly likely benefit from improvements to your roads to slow drivers and prevent collisions on dry, sunny days when no clear risk is evident. It’s during these hours that traffic calming is the most important. Speed display signs, speed cushions, or speed cameras are all effective in reminding drivers to focus on the roads, even when there is no apparent danger.
When everything seems fine and drivers forget to focus on the roads, traffic calming makes sure they drive safely. Make sure your city is equipped with the tools you need to keep drivers safe every day, rain or shine.
