Driving in rain or on slippery roads requires heightened levels of attention and safety. Keep reading for some important driving tips you can implement when the elements are working against you in Jacksonville, FL. Assess Your Vehicle's Equipment If it's raining pretty badly, you'll want to make sure there are several key functions of your vehicle in proper working order. Check both your headlights and taillights to ensure no bulbs are burned out; also, make sure your windshield wipers are working and remove the rain well enough. We also highly recommend that you check your tire tread to make sure you're not driving on wet roads with balding tires. more Drive Light-Footed Driving the posted speed limit is essential for everyone's safety on the road. On days of heavy rainfall, we strongly recommend that you drive considerably slower than what the speed limit indicates. Even if your vehicle is tuned up to perfection, slippery roads can hinder its steering and stopping power. It can also affect your visibility and ability to see things in time. Be sure to go light on the gas pedal and ensure you're not putting anyone's life in danger. Keep Wipers on at All Times While this may seem like a no-brainer it is a common mistake people make. You must keep your wipers on even if the rain isn't coming down very hard. Florida rain can pick up in seconds and it's always a safer bet to have the wipers going. If you hear a constant scraping noise, it's time to change your wipers. There are also products you can buy that help prevent the collection of rainwater on your windshield. Keep Your Distance Between Vehicles Always ensure you're a safe distance away from the car in front of you, especially when driving on slippery roads. If for some reason that driver slams on the brakes, you have a greater chance of reacting in time and enough stopping distance to avoid a crash. Driving too closely regardless of the road condition is a recipe for disaster. Stay Off Your Phone No matter if it's rain or shine, a mobile device should not replace the steering wheels in either of your hands while driving. This has been the cause of far too many accidents, and on slippery road conditions, you need to be paying even more attention to the road as the risk of an accident is higher. No Heavy Braking Unless Necessary When roads are slippery, it's extra important to pay attention to the vehicles in front of you and behind you. If you suddenly slam on the brakes, it could leave you open to being rear-ended if the other driver is too close and not able to stop in time. Reserve heavy braking for emergencies and try to ease off the accelerator first when coming to a gradual stop. Keep Your Car Service Up to Date at Our Jacksonville Service Department Our expert service technicians will ensure your vehicle is always in tip-top shape. Stop by DARCARS Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM today for a your routine maintenance, repairs, or any other automotive service. Schedule today!
