8 Feb

8 Ways To Drive More Safely In The Florida Rain

Florida Law Group Car Accidents, Tips

Florida is not only ranked the 3rd most dangerous state to drive in, but is in the top 5 rainiest states in the U.S. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 10% of all car accidents are caused by rain. Knowing how to drive in the Florida rain is essential if you’re going to live or vacation here (especially in the summer, when we experience almost daily thunderstorms), which requires you to learn new habits and avoid others in order to reach your destination safely in the midst of a rainshower. 

The following are 8 ways you can drive more safely in the Florida rain:

1 – Slow Down

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and it’s even more dangerous on wet roads. Perhaps the easiest way to drive safely in the rain is to simply slow down! When your tires are wet, they lose a significant amount of traction, and their braking abilities aren’t the same as when they are dry. It is important to note that the faster you go in rainy conditions, the less control you will essentially have over your vehicle. It is important that you slow down when the weather is rainy to prevent any unnecessary accidents or injuries. 

2 – Be On High Alert

Many drivers get into accidents simply because they aren’t paying attention. It is always important to be aware of your surroundings and not to be distracted by your phone or other things while driving, but it is even more important that you are on high alert when roads are wet! This is crucial to keeping yourself and your passengers (as well as others around you) safe. Giving yourself the extra time and space to react to other vehicles is necessary to avoid a collision when weather is an additional factor. 

3 – Check Your Car Before You Go

Most of the time we are in such a hurry  to get to where we need to be that we often forget about how important car maintenance is. Before you get going in the rain, it is important that you ensure your headlights, windshield wipers, and brake lights are working, and you know how to use them all properly. 

4 – Turn Your Lights & Windshield Wipers On

After you’ve ensured your lights and wipers are working, make sure they are on! It is extremely difficult to see when it is raining. Having your headlights and wipers on will not only help you see better, but also help other drivers see you! Florida traffic laws also require that if a vehicle’s windshield wipers are in use, then their headlights should also be turned on. Headlights should be clean, and windshield wipers should be replaced at least once a year. 

5 – Put More Distance Between You & Other Vehicles

When you drive on a regular basis, it is always important to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. This is especially important when roads are wet, as braking abilities are affected by wet tires. If a car stops abruptly in front of you, the time and distance you have to brake is decreased due to the lack of traction on your tires caused by precipitation. A good rule of thumb is to increase your distance from the car in front of you by at least two seconds in normal conditions, three to four in rainy conditions. 

6 – Watch Out For Standing Water

You should always avoid driving in standing water, even when it appears to be a small amount. Roads are easily damaged under the natural wear and tear of water, which can create a danger for vehicles. You should also avoid driving through any areas where an electrical line has fallen into water, as this is an extreme safety hazard. While some standing water is unavoidable, you can pay close attention to the route a driver in front of you might take, to see if it’s safe for you to do the same. 

7 – Know What To Do If You Hydroplane

As mentioned already, driving through some standing water is unavoidable, but rainy conditions and standing water can cause your vehicle to hydroplane. Hydroplaning is when a vehicle slides uncontrollably on a wet road. This can be a frightening experience, and cause you to wreck. It is important you take proper precautions to keep your vehicle from hydroplaning. Speed is a major contributing factor to the possibility of hydroplaning and should be avoided so you don’t wreck your vehicle. Another factor is cruise control. Avoid using cruise control when it’s raining, as one consistent speed isn’t going to be suitable on every wet road. 

If you find yourself hydroplaning, immediately take your foot off the gas and don’t slam on your brakes as this can cause your vehicle to skid out of control. Steer in the direction your car is already taking you, and remain calm until you feel the traction of your tires take back over. 

8 – Reduce Causes Of Glare If Driving At Night

One overlooked way to drive safely in the rain is to reduce glare. When it is raining, visibility is a key factor to your safety. While headlights and windshield wipers are helpful when it comes to safely navigating the wet roads, they aren’t always enough. It is important to eliminate anything that can cause additional glare while driving, particularly on rainy nights when visibility is further reduced. You can do this by avoiding looking directly into an oncoming vehicle’s headlights, turning the stereo screen down or off, and ensuring all interior lights are off. 

What We Can Do For You 

If you have been injured in an accident while driving in the Florida rain, either due to the weather conditions or due to another driver’s negligence, The Florida Law Group is prepared to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve to pay for treatment costs, lost wages, and more. We proudly represent injured accident victims and accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Call our team today to discuss your next steps. We offer a free consultation so we can listen to your story and explain all your options!

About Our Firm

• We have 100+ years of combined experience
• We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients 
• We are one of Florida’s oldest and most reputable firms
• We create long-lasting relationships with our clients
• We’ve been listed among the Best Lawyers in America
• We are a nationally recognized team of lawyers
• We offer free, no obligation consultations
• We care about our clients & helping them reach their desired outcome

Florida is not only ranked the 3rd most dangerous state to drive in, but is in the top 5 rainiest states in the U.S. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 10% of all car accidents are caused by rain. Knowing how to drive in the Florida rain is essential if you’re going to live or vacation here (especially in the summer, when we experience almost daily thunderstorms), which requires you to learn new habits and avoid others in order to reach your destination safely in the midst of a rainshower. 

The following are 8 ways you can drive more safely in the Florida rain:

1 – Slow Down

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and it’s even more dangerous on wet roads. Perhaps the easiest way to drive safely in the rain is to simply slow down! When your tires are wet, they lose a significant amount of traction, and their braking abilities aren’t the same as when they are dry. It is important to note that the faster you go in rainy conditions, the less control you will essentially have over your vehicle. It is important that you slow down when the weather is rainy to prevent any unnecessary accidents or injuries. 

2 – Be On High Alert

Many drivers get into accidents simply because they aren’t paying attention. It is always important to be aware of your surroundings and not to be distracted by your phone or other things while driving, but it is even more important that you are on high alert when roads are wet! This is crucial to keeping yourself and your passengers (as well as others around you) safe. Giving yourself the extra time and space to react to other vehicles is necessary to avoid a collision when weather is an additional factor. 

3 – Check Your Car Before You Go

Most of the time we are in such a hurry  to get to where we need to be that we often forget about how important car maintenance is. Before you get going in the rain, it is important that you ensure your headlights, windshield wipers, and brake lights are working, and you know how to use them all properly. 

4 – Turn Your Lights & Windshield Wipers On

After you’ve ensured your lights and wipers are working, make sure they are on! It is extremely difficult to see when it is raining. Having your headlights and wipers on will not only help you see better, but also help other drivers see you! Florida traffic laws also require that if a vehicle’s windshield wipers are in use, then their headlights should also be turned on. Headlights should be clean, and windshield wipers should be replaced at least once a year. 

5 – Put More Distance Between You & Other Vehicles

When you drive on a regular basis, it is always important to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. This is especially important when roads are wet, as braking abilities are affected by wet tires. If a car stops abruptly in front of you, the time and distance you have to brake is decreased due to the lack of traction on your tires caused by precipitation. A good rule of thumb is to increase your distance from the car in front of you by at least two seconds in normal conditions, three to four in rainy conditions. 

6 – Watch Out For Standing Water

You should always avoid driving in standing water, even when it appears to be a small amount. Roads are easily damaged under the natural wear and tear of water, which can create a danger for vehicles. You should also avoid driving through any areas where an electrical line has fallen into water, as this is an extreme safety hazard. While some standing water is unavoidable, you can pay close attention to the route a driver in front of you might take, to see if it’s safe for you to do the same. 

7 – Know What To Do If You Hydroplane

As mentioned already, driving through some standing water is unavoidable, but rainy conditions and standing water can cause your vehicle to hydroplane. Hydroplaning is when a vehicle slides uncontrollably on a wet road. This can be a frightening experience, and cause you to wreck. It is important you take proper precautions to keep your vehicle from hydroplaning. Speed is a major contributing factor to the possibility of hydroplaning and should be avoided so you don’t wreck your vehicle. Another factor is cruise control. Avoid using cruise control when it’s raining, as one consistent speed isn’t going to be suitable on every wet road. 

If you find yourself hydroplaning, immediately take your foot off the gas and don’t slam on your brakes as this can cause your vehicle to skid out of control. Steer in the direction your car is already taking you, and remain calm until you feel the traction of your tires take back over. 

8 – Reduce Causes Of Glare If Driving At Night

One overlooked way to drive safely in the rain is to reduce glare. When it is raining, visibility is a key factor to your safety. While headlights and windshield wipers are helpful when it comes to safely navigating the wet roads, they aren’t always enough. It is important to eliminate anything that can cause additional glare while driving, particularly on rainy nights when visibility is further reduced. You can do this by avoiding looking directly into an oncoming vehicle’s headlights, turning the stereo screen down or off, and ensuring all interior lights are off. 

What We Can Do For You 

If you have been injured in an accident while driving in the Florida rain, either due to the weather conditions or due to another driver’s negligence, The Florida Law Group is prepared to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve to pay for treatment costs, lost wages, and more. We proudly represent injured accident victims and accept cases on a contingency fee basis. Call our team today to discuss your next steps. We offer a free consultation so we can listen to your story and explain all your options!

About Our Firm

• We have 100+ years of combined experience
• We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients 
• We are one of Florida’s oldest and most reputable firms
• We create long-lasting relationships with our clients
• We’ve been listed among the Best Lawyers in America
• We are a nationally recognized team of lawyers
• We offer free, no obligation consultations
• We care about our clients & helping them reach their desired outcome