SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Road Safety officials are hoping drivers take it slowly as the rainy season begins.
“It is a little nerve-racking that it is coming because people tend to drive faster in the rain,” Eileen Kayaer tells ABC10.
The warning, to slow down. When water mixes with all the dirt, oil, grease, and grime, left behind from summer, dangerous conditions come to the surface.
“With the roads being slick when it first rains starts to rain, we are at the risk of hydroplaning or accidents, so it is scary,” said Kayaer.
“We need to be really careful when we are driving and watch out for each other,” said Maria Watts, Sacramento Driver.
“If everybody follows the rules of the road, we should be fine,” said Phillip Perry, Sacramento Driver.
Here are some tips from Caltrans District 3 for driving safely in the rain:
- As a rule, do not drive in water if you cannot see road markings. A vehicle can float in just one foot of water. It is safer to turn around and find another route.
- Try to stay in the middle lane where flooding is less likely.
- Drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you. This allows the vehicle ahead to displace any standing water that is on the road.
- Reduce speed and allow extra space between vehicles.
- If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas pedal, but do not push hard on the brakes. Instead, apply the brakes in a steady manner and steer in the direction of the skid. For vehicles with anti-lock brakes, apply more pressure to the brakes, but avoid pumping them.
- After driving through a puddle, tap the brake pedal to help dry out the brake pads.
- Turn on headlights.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.
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