Spring can bring about beautiful sunny days. But, the season also carries with it heavy rainstorms, which can make for difficult driving conditions. Here, the auto accident attorneys at AFSL share tips for driving safely in the rain.

Spring is a great time to undertake routine vehicle upkeep. Making sure your tires, windshield wipers, and lights are all in working order can help to decrease your chances of getting in an accident.  But, with the rapidly changing weather that is inherent to the season, it is important that you also understand how to adjust your driving during dangerous weather conditions to ensure a safe commute.

Get Your Timing Right

Many drivers have a perceived notion that the longer it has been raining, the slicker the roads will be. But, this simply is not true. Oil from vehicles mixed with a fresh coating of rain can create a slick road surface at the very beginning of rainfall, before the rain has had a chance to wash oil residue away. If it has just started raining, and you do not need to be out at a certain time, wait for the roads to become free of any slick residue before embarking on your commute.

Turn on Your Headlights

You might be able to see, but that doesn’t mean others can – stay safe by keeping your headlights on at all times during a rainstorm. It will make your car more visible to other drivers, and keep you from getting a ticket: in Maryland, it is illegal to not have your headlights on when your windshield wipers are on.

Reduce Your Speed

Driving can be dangerous enough in clear conditions, let alone on a day permeated by rain, mist, and fog. Take it slowly, especially when making sharp turns, lane changes, or traversing narrow residential roads—shoot for five miles per hour slower than the posted speed.

Increase Following Distance

In years past, the oft-cited advice was to keep your car a certain number of car lengths away from others around you. The safer suggestion is to stay three to four seconds away from the car ahead of you – wait for them to pass a landmark, and then count the seconds in your head. In the rain, increase this follow time to five seconds, and on a rainy night, to six or more.

Stay in the Middle

Rainwater tends to collect in the far left and far right lanes. If you are on the highway, staying in the middle lane can lessen your chances of hydroplaning, and increase your visibility by preventing puddle-spray from hitting your windshield.

Get out into the milder temperatures of springtime and take a drive, but stay safe while doing so. Adhere to these driving tips for a safe commute during a spring storm.  If you’ve been involved in or injured in an auto accident, and need legal representation, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at AFSL today.