Tips for Wet Roads

Rain is a factor in Hawaii driving. For your driving safety, here are some pointers to keep in mind:

1. Keep your windshield clean. Otherwise, wiper blades may turn the first drops of rain into an oily smear, making visibility difficult during the day, and nearly impossible at night.
2. Turn on your lights. Cars tend to "disappear" in rain, so use your parking lights to make your car more visible. In a downpour, use your headlights on their low beam. It's not only smart driving - many states require it by law!
3. Turn on the fan. High humidity and rain go hand-in-hand, frequently causing your windshield to fog up. Your defroster blower will help clear everything up.
4. Turn on your air conditioner. If you have air conditioning, turn it on to clear fog from both the windshield and windows.
5. Close your windows. Some motorists mistakenly lower their windows to clear fog. However, other cars - running through puddles - can send a spray of water that often hits drivers in the face. It's not only distracting, it's dangerous.
6. Watch out for the oily road slick that forms in new rain. During the first thirty minutes of rainfall, oil and dust on street pavements change to a slippery substance that's as slick as ice.
7. Watch for running pedestrians. In heavy, sudden showers, people tend to cover their heads and begin running for cover. They don't see you, and since rain can sometimes make a good deal of noise, they may not hear you either.
8. Keep one foot "at the ready." Throughout a rainstorm, be prepared to lift your foot off the accelerator at a moment's notice - that's likely all the notice you'll get!
9. Be sensitive to the condition of your tires. If your tires are fairly new, reduce speed slightly. But if your treads are showing a bit of wear, quickly reduce your speed. Worn out or bald tires may have no grip at all on wet pavements.
10. Beware of "puddles" on the road. At speeds of about 35 mph, tires may actually start to ride on top of the water - a phenomenon called "hydroplaning." The condition gets worse at higher speeds. When a car is hydroplaning, it is virtually out of control. If you sense hydroplaning, don't hit the brakes - lift off the accelerator immediately until you feel your tires "grip" the road again.
11. Drive in the right lane. Generally, the right lane gets more traffic, which may help it dry sooner.
12. Drive as though you have no brakes. Deep puddles sometimes soak brakes rendering them useless. After going through deep water, proceed cautiously, applying brakes frequently until they dry out.
13. Trust your own eyes. A road full of smooth reflections that looks slippery usually is.