OVERLAND PARK, KS, (March 8, 2010) -- Saving for a rainy day is a good idea when economic conditions are tough, but driving on a rainy day can be a costly and dangerous proposition. It’s no secret that rain and wet road conditions are major factors in vehicle crashes, but many drivers ignore the impact that rainy weather can have until it is too late.
Rainy day crashes can be avoided with a few smart driving tips from CARSTAR
Collision Centers, the nation’s largest chain of collision repair shops. Just like saving pennies, cautious, defensive driving in the rain is a good investment.
Here are a few ideas that make sense:
· Before it starts to rain, replace old or brittle wiper blades.
· Check all of the vehicle’s light bulbs to make sure they are working.
· Stay toward the middle lanes—water tends to pool in outside lanes.
· Maintain proper following distance (3 second rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.
· Drive in the tracks of a vehicle ahead of you.
· Don’t follow large trucks too closely, because the spray created by their large tires can reduce vision.
· Be more alert watching for brake lights in front of you.
· Avoid using your brakes; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
· Turn your headlights on anytime you feel a need to use your wipers, in a light rain and in gloomy, foggy, or overcast conditions to help you see the road and help other drivers see you.
· Do not use cruise control on rain soaked roadways – you’ll have better control in wet weather without it.
· Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it; your vehicle could be swept off the road.
· Watch out for places where floodwater collects, particularly low-lying roads adjacent to streams, and dips under rail or highway bridges.
· Avoid driving through deep water, because it can cause serious damage to a modern vehicle’s electrical system.
· If possible, stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Large flashes of lightning can temporarily blind and disorient drivers, and the accompanying high winds and heavy rain can create deadly driving conditions.
· When you need to stop or slow, do not brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.
“We see thousands of accidents every year involving vehicles that wrecked in rainy conditions,” said Dan Bailey, president and COO of CARSTAR Collision Centers. “This represents millions of dollars in damage that could be avoided with some careful driving. If drivers would just slow down and be extra cautious when it’s raining or roads are wet, they could dramatically reduce their chances of being in a costly wreck.”
Don’t Go for an Unplanned Ride
Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of the tires builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push out of the way. The water pressure causes the vehicle to rise up and slide in a thin layer of water between the tires and the road. At this point, the vehicle can be completely out of contact with the road, and in danger of skidding or drifting out of the lane.
There are three main factors that contribute to hydroplaning:
· Vehicle speed. As speed increases, wet traction is considerably reduced. Since hydroplaning can result in a complete loss of traction and vehicle control, you should always reduce speed when driving in wet weather.
· Tire tread depth. Maintaining adequate treading on tires and replacing them when necessary can help prevent hydroplaning. Tire experts can measure tread depth with a specially designed tread depth gauge and recommend checking tire treads depth every 2-3 months.
· Water depth. The deeper the water, the sooner you will lose traction, although even thin water layers can cause a loss of traction, including at low speeds.
If you find yourself hydroplaning or skidding:
· Do not brake or turn suddenly;
· Ease your foot off the gas until the vehicle slows and you can feel traction on the road again;
· Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. As you recover control, gently straighten the wheels; and
· If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping action. Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally. Because the vehicle’s computer will mimic a pumping action.
“By just slowing down and being a little more cautious, you can prevent a rainy day accident and keep your rainy day savings for a better purpose,” said Bailey. “But if an accident does occur, just call 1-800-CARSTAR and we’ll take it from there.”
CARSTAR Collision Service offers high-quality, reliable repair service in 28 states and 10 Canadian provinces. Just call 1-800-CARSTAR when you need a vehicle repair and they will send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your car. For information and store locations visit www.CARSTAR.com.
About CARSTAR
CARSTAR is the largest group of branded collision repair centers in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 28 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million cars since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.
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