April showers may eventually bring May flowers, but until that time arrives, they mostly bring headaches to drivers everywhere. Your vision is compromised, your brakes are slower to respond, and your fellow drivers can become more erratic. Suffice to say, the chances of an accident increase significantly in heavy rain.
That’s why we have your back with these tips for weathering stormy conditions this spring. Courtesy of Avalon Honda, here’s how you can keep yourself safe when caught in a spring storm.
Make Sure Your Windshield Wipers Are Prepared to Go
Your main line of defense against severe rainfall is, of course, your windshield wipers. If you haven’t swapped in a fresh pair this year, they’re probably exhausted from battling ice and snow over the course of our long, Jersey winter. Dull wiper blades can hurt your windshield as much as help it, leaving streaks and smears that can severely compromise your windshield’s visibility. Getting yourself a crisp new set of blades for the spring is your first step towards being prepared when it starts to pour.
Avoid Heavy or Abrupt Braking
Every year, 75% of weather-related accidents occur on wet pavement – and 47% happen during rainfall. Practice more cautious braking technique when driving in storms, as it takes significantly longer to come to a complete stop. Instead of braking abruptly, take your foot off the accelerator earlier than you normally would, allowing your car to glide to a natural stop. Then, apply light pressure to the brake pad to coast to a gentle halt.
Beware of Hydroplaning
Just as it takes longer to come to a complete stop on wet surfaces, hydroplaning is more likely to occur. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires lose traction, causing your car to drive on the surface of the water rather than the surface of the road – which, in turn, causes you to momentarily lose control. If you start to hydroplane, do these three things in order: remain calm, take your foot off the gas pedal, and steer in the direction you want to go. To avoid hydroplaning, be on the lookout for standing water, steering around it rather than confronting it straight-on. And remember that our Tire Center is always at your disposal when you’re in need of a fresh set.
Maintain Your Distance from Other Cars
During a thunderstorm (but really, any time), you should not be aggressively tailing slow drivers. Since we’ve established your car’s reaction and braking times are longer in wet conditions, you’re risking a fender-bender situation just by being close to other vehicles. Double your normal following distance instead, leaving a wide proximity between yourself and your fellow commuters. This also helps avoid water being splashed onto your windshield by larger vehicles – another viable visibility threat.
Leave Your Headlights On
In New Jersey, it’s state law that you must have your headlights on while your windshield wipers are in use. But regardless of where you live, having your lights on during a storm is both common sense and common courtesy. Not only is the added visibility necessary for your driving purposes, but it also alerts other drivers as to your location in these unclear conditions. There’s literally no downside to leaving your headlights on in the rain, so get in the habit of doing so.
Anticipate the Unexpected
You never know when an April storm is going to hit. If the sky looks ominous and you haven’t hit the road yet, try to delay your departure until the weather improves. Inevitably, though, there will be times when you’re on Route 9 towards Cape May, the sky takes a turn for the worse, and the next exit isn’t for miles. (In this situation, don’t hesitate to pull over on the side of the road and wait for the worst to pass.)
The best you can do is keep your car prepared for a downpour at all times. That’s where the trained professionals at our Service Department enter the picture. Schedule your service appointment with Avalon Honda today and let us tend to your wiper blades, brakes, oil change, and more. And while you’re here, check out our expansive inventory of new and used Honda vehicles. From the always-reliable Honda Accord to the powerful Pilot SUV, we’re sure to have the perfect companion for all the sunny drives that await, after the clouds part.
