HUNTSVILLE, Ala — We all have places to be and unfortunately, we can't control Mother Nature, who sometimes makes things difficult and dangerous while driving.
When it comes to wet weather and rainy road conditions it's best to stay off the road but life stops for nobody... So, if you do find yourself in a situation where you have to get out, here are three tips from triple a on how you can keep yourself and others safe on the road:
For starters, avoid cruise control.
Most modern cars have this feature and while it works great on dryer road conditions, you're more likely to lose control of your vehicle while using this feature on wet road conditions.
For instance, you may need to suddenly slow down by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be done while the car is in cruise control.
Slow down and leave room for others.
In order to avoid hydroplaning, drivers should slow down. They should also avoid hard breaking or turning sharply. The best practice is to drive in the tracks of the person in front of you.
And because there is an increased chance of hydroplaning on these road conditions, leaving ample room in between you and fellow drivers is crucial in avoiding disaster.
Lastly, your response to hydroplaning is very important.
If you feel your car beginning to skid, it's best not to panic and follow these basic steps instead:
- Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the car is moving, don't try to overcorrect or swiftly turn to get back on track. Go with the flow and gradually slow down.
- Drivers should also avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further mess with the vehicle's balance and make it harder to control.
And again, do your best to remain calm so that you can get yourself and passengers to safety, then you can take a moment.