Driving in heavy rain can be challenging, especially in Canada, where weather conditions change rapidly. 

Heavy rain reduces visibility and makes roads slippery, increasing the chances of accidents. 

Hydroplaning, where a vehicle loses traction on wet roads, is a common risk, making it crucial for drivers to be extra cautious.

According to the Worker’s Safety & Compensation Commission, nearly 30% of car accidents in Canada happen on rainy, snowy, or icy roads.

Safety and preparedness are vital when driving in adverse weather conditions. Understanding how to drive safely in heavy rains can significantly prevent accidents. 

Taking proactive steps, from reducing your speed to ensuring your vehicle is in good condition, can help you drive safely through even the heaviest rains. 

By being prepared and following defensive driving techniques, you can protect yourself and others on the road, no matter how challenging the weather.

12 Tips on How to Drive Safely in Heavy Rains

Driving in heavy rain requires extra precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. 

Below are 12 essential tips to help you navigate wet conditions effectively.

1. Check Your Tires

Having proper tire maintenance is crucial when driving in heavy rain. Tires with adequate tread depth and correct pressure ensure better traction on wet roads, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

Tread depth is essential for channeling water away from the tire's surface, allowing the tire to maintain contact with the road. 

In the unpredictable rainy season, it's recommended that your tire tread depth be at least 1.6 millimeters. However, a tread depth of 3 to 4 millimeters is advisable for optimal safety, especially during heavy rain. 

You can easily check tread depth using a gauge or inserting a coin into the grooves. If the tread is worn down to the level of the indicator bars or below 1.6 millimeters, it's time to replace your tires.

Proper tire pressure is equally important. Under-inflated tires can reduce grip, making it harder to control the vehicle on wet surfaces. Over-inflated tires can decrease the contact area with the road, increasing the risk of slipping. 

To maintain the correct tire pressure, check your tires regularly with a reliable pressure gauge, especially before driving in heavy rain. 

Proper tire inflation enhances safety, improves fuel efficiency, and extends tire life, providing a smoother and safer driving experience during rainy conditions.

2. Ensure Wipers and Lights are Functional

Proper visibility is essential when driving in heavy rain, and functional windshield wipers and lights are crucial in maintaining that visibility. 

Windshield wipers are your first line of defense against rain. They help clear the windshield of water and debris, ensuring you can see the road ahead clearly. 

Over time, wiper blades can wear out, becoming less effective at clearing the windshield. In heavy rain, this can significantly reduce your visibility and increase the risk of accidents.

To ensure your wipers are in good condition, inspect the blades regularly for any signs of wear, such as cracks, stiffness, or streaking on the windshield. 

It's recommended that wiper blades be replaced every six months to a year or sooner if performance declines.

Additionally, using a windshield washer fluid with water-repellent properties can help improve visibility by causing rain to bead up and roll off the glass more easily.

Your vehicle's lights are equally important in heavy rain. Headlights, taillights, and brake lights help you see the road and make your vehicle visible to other drivers. 

In areas with frequent rainy and foggy conditions, it's essential to ensure that all lights are working properly. 

Regularly check that all bulbs are functioning and replace any dim or burned ones. It's also advisable to clean the lenses of your lights to remove any dirt or grime that could reduce their brightness. 

Ensure that your wipers and lights are fully functional. This can greatly enhance your visibility and safety when driving in heavy rain.

3. Inspect Brakes and Fluid Levels

Having well-maintained brakes is vital for safe driving in wet conditions. Brakes stop your vehicle, and the road surface becomes slippery in heavy rain, reducing the friction between your tires and the pavement. 

This means your brakes must be in top condition to ensure you can stop your vehicle quickly and safely.

Before driving in heavy rain, it's essential to inspect your brakes for any signs of wear or damage. Listen for unusual noises when braking, such as squealing or grinding, which could indicate that your brake pads are worn and need to be replaced. 

Additionally, check the thickness of the brake pads and the condition of the rotors to ensure they are within the manufacturer's recommended limits. 

If your brakes are not functioning correctly, your stopping distance may increase significantly on wet roads, leading to a higher risk of accidents.

Checking your vehicle's fluid levels is crucial in addition to the brakes. Brake fluid, coolant, and windshield washer fluid are all essential for safe driving. 

Brake fluid is responsible for transmitting the force from your brake pedal to the brake pads, and low fluid levels can result in reduced braking power. 

Coolant is important for preventing your engine from overheating, which can be a risk even in rainy weather if your engine is working hard. 

Finally, ensure that your windshield washer fluid is topped up, as you may need to use your wipers frequently.

Inspecting your brakes and fluid levels before driving in heavy rain can help ensure your vehicle is prepared to handle wet conditions.

4. Reduce Speed

Reducing your speed is one of the most critical adjustments when driving in heavy rain. 

Wet roads reduce tire traction, increasing the risk of skidding or hydroplaning, where your tires lose contact with the road surface and ride on a thin layer of water instead.

Lowering your speed gives you more time to react to unexpected situations and improve your vehicle's stability and control on slippery roads.

When driving in heavy rain, it's recommended that you reduce your speed by at least one-third of the normal limit. 

For example, if the speed limit is 100 km/h, consider driving at 65-70 km/h. This reduction allows your tires to maintain better contact with the road, reducing the chances of hydroplaning. 

Slower speeds increase the time it takes to respond to obstacles, such as sudden stops by the vehicle in front of you or debris on the road.

Visibility is another critical factor in determining your speed during heavy rain. If rain significantly impairs your view of the road, it's important to slow down even more. 

By reducing your speed, you can enhance your control over the vehicle, improve your reaction time, and ultimately ensure a safer driving experience in heavy rain.

5. Increase the Following Distance

Maintaining a greater distance between your vehicle and the one ahead is crucial for safe driving in heavy rain.

Wet roads significantly reduce tire traction, increasing the distance it takes for your vehicle to come to a complete stop. 

If you follow too closely, you may need more time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly breaks or encounters an obstacle. This can lead to rear-end collisions, particularly dangerous in wet conditions.

To compensate for the reduced traction and increased stopping distances, it's recommended to double or even triple your usual following distance. 

In dry conditions, the general rule of thumb is to keep a distance of about three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. 

In heavy rain, this should be increased to six or more seconds, depending on the severity of the rain and road conditions. This extra space provides a buffer that allows you to brake more gradually and gives you more time to respond to unexpected situations.

It's also important to remember that large vehicles, such as trucks, take even longer to stop, so give them extra space. 

Maintaining a greater following distance reduces the chances of accidents. It also, especially at night, enhances your ability to drive safely through adverse weather conditions, especially at night.

6. Avoid Sudden Movements

When driving in heavy rain, sudden movements can easily lead to loss of control, making it essential to steer, accelerate, and brake smoothly. 

Wet roads offer less grip than dry ones, so abrupt changes in direction or speed can cause your tires to lose traction, resulting in skidding or hydroplaning. 

Smooth and gradual inputs help maintain your vehicle's stability and allow your tires to maintain better contact with the road.

To prevent skidding, apply gentle pressure to the accelerator when speeding up, avoiding any sudden bursts of power that could cause your tires to spin. 

When steering, make deliberate and smooth movements. Jerking the wheel can lead to oversteering or understeering, which can be dangerous in wet conditions. 

Similarly, braking should be gradual and with controlled pressure to avoid locking the wheels. 

If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal, allowing the system to prevent wheel lockup.

By practicing smooth driving techniques, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and remain in control, even in challenging weather.

7. Be Aware of Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is a common and dangerous occurrence in heavy rain. In this situation, a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road surface, causing your vehicle to lose traction.

When this happens, your tires are no longer in contact with the road, making it difficult or impossible to steer, brake, or accelerate. 

Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 km/h, mainly if your tires are worn or underinflated or if there is a significant amount of water on the road.

The first step to avoid hydroplaning is to reduce your speed. Slower speeds allow your tires more time to channel water away while maintaining contact with the road. 

It's also essential to avoid driving through large puddles or standing water, as these areas are more likely to cause hydroplaning. 

Another key factor in preventing hydroplaning is keeping your tires properly inflated and ensuring they have sufficient tread depth. Tires with adequate tread can better grip the road and disperse water more effectively.

If you start to hydroplane, staying calm and avoiding sudden movements is crucial. 

Do not brake or turn the steering wheel abruptly, as this can lead to a complete loss of control. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and steer straight until your tires regain traction. 

8. Use Headlights Wisely

Using your headlights wisely in heavy rain is essential for your visibility and that of other drivers.

Rain can significantly reduce your ability to see the road ahead and make your vehicle less visible to others. 

Turning on your headlights helps ensure that you can see the road clearly and that other drivers can see you, which is crucial in preventing accidents. 

Properly using headlights is a safety measure and a legal requirement in many provinces.

Using your low rather than high beams is essential when driving in heavy rain. High beams can reflect off the rain droplets, creating a glare that can reduce visibility and make it harder to see the road. 

On the other hand, low beams provide enough light to see without causing glare, helping you navigate safely through the rain. 

In addition to low beams, make sure your taillights are working properly. They help drivers behind you judge distance and speed more accurately in poor visibility.

Using your headlights wisely in heavy rain can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and improve safety for everyone on the road.

9. Stay Clear of Flooded Areas

Driving through flooded areas can be extremely dangerous; staying clear of these zones is essential whenever possible. 

Flooded roads pose multiple hazards, from hidden debris and potholes to the risk of your vehicle losing traction and control. 

Water can quickly rise and turn a seemingly harmless puddle into a deep pool, which can cause your vehicle to stall, lose control, or even be swept away. 

In severe cases, just a few inches of water can turn off a car or cause it to float, putting you and your passengers in grave danger.

To avoid these risks, always be cautious when approaching areas with standing water. If you can't tell how deep the water is, it's best to turn around and find an alternate route. 

Even shallow water can hide hazards or cause hydroplaning, so it's safer to err on the side of caution. 

During heavy rains, flooded intersections and underpasses are common in urban areas, so be aware of these spots and avoid them whenever possible.

By planning your route and avoiding flooded zones, you can protect yourself and your vehicle from the potentially devastating effects of driving through waterlogged areas.

10. Control If You Skid

Skidding is one of the most frightening experiences a driver can face, especially in heavy rain, but knowing how to control your vehicle if it starts to skid is crucial for staying safe. 

A skid occurs when your tires lose traction with the road, causing you to lose control of the vehicle. This can happen due to sudden braking, sharp turns, or speeding on wet roads. 

In these situations, the natural reaction might be to panic, but staying calm and following the correct steps can help you regain control.

If your vehicle begins to skid, the first thing to do is to avoid slamming on the brakes, which can worsen the skid. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator to gradually reduce speed.

By practicing these techniques, you can better handle skids and reduce the risk of accidents, ensuring a safer driving experience in heavy rain.

11. Pulling Over Safely

When driving in heavy rain, there may be times when conditions become too dangerous to continue safely. In these situations, knowing how to pull over safely is crucial. 

Heavy rain can drastically reduce visibility, making it difficult to see the road, other vehicles, or potential hazards. 

If you struggle to see or maintain control of your vehicle, it's better to pull over and wait for the rain to subside than to risk an accident.

To pull over safely, first, signal your intentions to other drivers using your turn signal. Gradually reduce your speed and move to the side of the road. 

Ideally, you should aim to pull over on the right-hand side, as this is generally safer than the left side, which is closer to the traffic flow. 

To avoid being too close to passing vehicles, find a location well off the road, such as a parking lot, rest area, or wide shoulder. 

Avoid stopping near curves, hills, or intersections where other drivers may have difficulty seeing your vehicle.

Once you've stopped, turn on your hazard lights to make your vehicle more visible to others, especially in low-visibility conditions. Stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened, as this is the safest place to be while waiting for the rain to subside. 

Knowing how to pull over safely can protect you and your passengers from the dangers of heavy rain and low visibility.

12. Emergency Preparedness

When driving in heavy rain, especially in remote or unfamiliar areas, preparing for emergencies is essential. An emergency kit in your vehicle can make a significant difference if you become stranded or must wait out a storm. 

Your emergency kit should include basic items like a flashlight, first aid kit, and non-perishable snacks, which can provide comfort and safety while you wait for assistance. 

Visibility and communication can be compromised in heavy rain, so having a fully charged phone and a portable charger is crucial for staying in touch with emergency services.

In addition to your emergency kit, it's important to know what to do if you're stranded in your vehicle. First, stay calm and assess your situation. 

If it's safe, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. This signals to other drivers that your vehicle is stationary, reducing the risk of collision. 

If visibility is poor, only get out of your vehicle if necessary, as other drivers may not see you.

In colder parts of Canada, rain can quickly turn to snow or ice, so having extra blankets or warm clothing in your emergency kit can be a lifesaver. If you're waiting for help, stay inside your vehicle to stay warm and safe. 

Crack a window slightly for ventilation, but avoid running the engine for long periods to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. 

Importance of Driver Safety Training

Proper defensive driving training and education are essential for driving safely in heavy rains. Understanding how to handle adverse conditions can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users.

Whether you're a new driver or have years of experience, safety training is a valuable investment in driving safely under various conditions.

One key topic covered in these training programs is defensive driving. This approach teaches drivers to anticipate and respond to hazards like reckless drivers, sudden stops, or adverse weather conditions by maintaining safe distances and making informed decisions. 

Another critical aspect of driver safety training is learning emergency procedures. 

These procedures prepare drivers for unexpected situations, such as vehicle breakdowns, skidding on icy roads, or encountering road debris, ensuring they know how to react quickly and safely.

Incorporating driver safety training into regular practice contributes to a safer road environment for everyone. 

FAQs

How can you drive safely on a highway in the rain?

By reducing your speed, increasing your following distance, and using your headlights to improve visibility - you can drive safely on the highways in the rainy season. 

What is the safest vehicle type to drive in the rain?

SUVs and trucks with all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) are generally safer in rain due to better traction.

What is the safest speed to drive when raining?

The safest speed is typically 10-15 km/h below the posted speed limit, adjusted further based on visibility and road conditions.

What car is least likely to hydroplane?

Vehicles with good tires and proper tread depth, especially those with all-wheel drive (AWD), are least likely to hydroplane.

Why is my car hard to control in the rain?

Loss of traction due to wet roads, worn tires, or improper tire pressure can make your car harder to control in the rain.

Conclusion

Driving in heavy rain presents numerous challenges, but following essential safety tips can significantly reduce the risks. 

Regularly checking your tires, wipers, brakes, and fluid levels ensures your vehicle is prepared for wet conditions. 

Adjusting your speed, increasing your following distance, and being mindful of hydroplaning help maintain control and prevent accidents. 

Additionally, using headlights wisely and avoiding flooded areas are crucial for visibility and safety. 

In extreme conditions, knowing when to pull over and having an emergency kit on hand can make a significant difference. 

You can keep yourself and others safe by exploring and understanding how to drive safely in heavy rains.