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Driving in adverse weather conditions can be very dangerous and even though most of us recognize the importance of safe driving, we can't put our busy lives on hold to accommodate the weather. Instead, we regularly go against the local weatherman's advice and get into our cars during rainstorms and snowstorms; and we don't give much thought as to how we can drive safer or what we will do in the event of an emergency. The following tips can make your next drive in the rain both safer and easier:

MAKE SURE YOU CAR IS READY

Check your windshield wipers regularly by spraying washer fluid onto the windshield and seeing how the wipers perform. If there is any smearing on the glass, clean the wipers or replace them. Having windshield wipers, that work properly can make all the difference during a rainstorm; if your windshield is smeared with greasy water, your visibility is greatly reduced and you're putting yourself in a potentially deadly situation.

Check the tire pressure and tread wear regularly to reduce the likelihood of losing traction with the road (hydroplaning) during a rainstorm.

Regularly check your headlights, brake lights and signal lights to make sure that they're working properly; in a dark, rainy setting one headlight can look like a motorcycle instead of a car and this can be fatal.

TAKE YOUR TIME

You should always give yourself extra time to make it to your destination; when it's raining you should give yourself even more time. If you're rushing you increase the chance of losing control of your car and getting into an accident, and as the old adage goes, "better late than never."

If there is very heavy rain or your visibility is affected in any way, the best thing to do is to pull over and wait for the rain to subside.

GO SLOW & STAY FAR

It's important to driver slower in the rain because if you're going too fast, you won't be able to stop as quickly as you normally would; this could send you into a skid as you slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of you. It's also important to keep extra distance between your car and the car in front of you in the event that the car in front of you stops unexpectedly.

TURN YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON

Most state laws require that you turn your headlights on when it rains, but make sure you don't put your high beam lights on because the reflection could blind you or other drivers and cause an accident.

HYDROPLAINING AND SKIDDING

When your tire treads can't move enough water out of the way during wet road conditions, a layer of water can build up between the tires and the road causing the tires to lose traction; this is known as hydroplaning. You can tell you're hydroplaning when your car is sliding around and not responding to the steering wheel. If you find yourself hydroplaning, resist the urge to slam on the breaks because doing so will make the situation even worse. The best thing to do is to ease your foot off the gas pedal while keeping the steering wheel very still; after a few seconds, you should be able to regain control.

In a skid, the front of your car will move opposite to the rear of your car causing you to lose control. If you find yourself in a skid, ease your foot of the gas pedal and gently move the steering wheel in the direction of the skid until you're able to straighten up and regain control.

In order to prevent an accident, it's crucial to remain calm when driving in the rain, especially if you're ever faced with a terrifying situation like hydroplaning or skidding. However, the best way to prevent a weather-related car crash is to postpone or cancel a drive when the weather turns bad.

Have a fun and safe time on the road, and visit us to find the best deal on the insurance coverage you need. Get money-saving tips, affordable auto insurance quotes and helpful information about insuring your vehicle from Auto Insurance Rates Direct today.