Driving in the rain safety reminders

By Raiza Giorgi · Mon Dec 28 2020

By Daniel Bertucelli, for SBC Fire

In anticipation of the approaching inclement weather, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department offers the following tips to help keep you and your passengers safe while driving on wet roads: 

• Routinely check your tires. Check tire tread depth and for proper inflation. 
• Slow down. As rain falls, it mixes with grime and oil on the road creating slick
  conditions. 
• Know how to recover from a skid. Remember not to slam on the brakes. Apply
  firm, steady pressure to the brakes and steer the car in the direction of the skid. 
• Keep your distance from the car ahead. It takes about three times longer to
  break on wet roads than on dry roads. 
• Turn your headlights on. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help
  other drivers see you. 
• First rains make the road very slippery. First rains make the roads the most
  difficult to drive on as mud and oil combine with water to form a slippery layer. 
• Dry your brakes after driving through standing water. If you have driven
  through standing water, apply the brakes lightly for a short time to dry them. 
• Make sure your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. California law requires that if you have your wipers on, your vehicle headlights must also be on. 

Taking these simple tips into account can save your life.