Florida Driver Education
Driving Safe on Florida Roads
The forecast is rain with continued rain for the next 10 days. That's just how far out the weather is predicted. It's that time of year. Driving in the rain can turn a simple trip into an adventure. Florida rain can come down so hard you may struggle to see 15 feet in front of you. Let's walk through a few steps you can take to prepare and what to do if the worst happens.
First, slow down. Speed will be the primary cause of skids. If you are driving in heavy rain use a lighter touch on your brakes. Driving slower will allow you to brake easier and avoid losing control. Take it easy on curves as well.
Replace your wiper blades. It sounds simple but most people don't do it until they are driving blind in a down pour - this is not recommended. Most oil changers will also change your wiper blades so get it done today. Next take a look at your tires. If you are running out of tread this can be very dangerous. Even good tires can hydroplane. Tires that are worn down will easily break lose in deep water or on slippery roads. Be sure to check your tire pressure. Keeping your tires properly inflated will help keep you stuck to the road.
If you start to skid, don't panic. If you have ABS (anti lock) brakes press down hard on the brake pedal and steer with care into the skid - the direction the car is skidding. If you do not have ABS then take your foot off the gas, don't use your brakes and steer in the direction of skid carefully. By carefully, we mean don't jerk the wheel, make your turn gradually.