AAA Michigan Has Wet Weather Driving Tips
18 February 1998
AAA Michigan Has Wet Weather Driving TipsDEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 18 -- Heavy rain across much of Michigan has created flood conditions which are not kind to cars. To help keep motorists high and dry, AAA Michigan offers the following wet weather driving tips: * Slow down and be prepared for sitting water on the road. If you hit water at high speed, it's more apt to "drown" your engine. Best advice -- try to avoid water or go through slowly. Remember, where there's water, there may be potholes. POOR VISIBILITY. Regardless of your driving experience, the odds are greater that you'll have a collision in wet weather. A hard rain can limit visibility. For this reason, you'll want to: * Keep your windshield and windows clean. Use your defrosters to keep front and rear windshields clean. Replace worn wiper blades if they don't clear your windshield. * Stop periodically during a long trip to clean your headlights. Keep low beam headlights on at all times. * When visibility is so limited you can't see the edges of the road or other vehicles, it's time to pull off and wait for the rain to ease. REDUCED TRACTION. Wet roads mean poor traction. Conditions are most dangerous during the first 10 minutes of a heavy downpour as oil and debris wash away. * The best remedy when wheels are stuck in mud or a soft shoulder is to apply power slowly. Keep front wheels pointed straight ahead. If you can't move forward; try backing out. You may have to "rock" your way out using low gear. * You may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Steering is sometimes preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph. In wet weather, sudden braking often leads to skids. Squeeze brakes gently to keep control of your vehicle. * Recognize water hazards and steer around them. Check all lanes for other vehicles before steering around a water hazard. * Stopping on a slippery surface requires more distance, so increase your following distance. Focus your attention as far ahead as possible -- at least 20 to 30 seconds. FLOOD DAMAGE. A car damaged by flood water should not be started until a thorough inspection and cleaning is performed. If the car has been completely or partially submerged, it may be necessary to disassemble all mechanical parts for thorough cleaning and lubrication. AAA Michigan recommends car owners contact their insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before seeking repairs. EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN. If your car stalls on the highway and won't start back up, stay with the vehicle until help arrives -- in the form of a police officer or AAA road service. If someone else arrives, roll down your window just enough to ask him or her to call the police. At the first sign of car trouble: * Pull as far off the highway as possible. * Raise the car hood or tie a white cloth to a door handle. * If you must walk to a phone, keep your group together. * Be cautious if someone seems over-anxious to help, and avoid riding with strangers. SOURCE AAA Michigan