Driving When Visibility Is Poor

Regardless of your driving experience, the odds are greater that you'll have a collision in wet weather. A hard rain can limit visibility so much you can't see the edges of the road, traffic signs or other highway users. If you must drive under such conditions, it's helpful to have the knowledge and skills to cope.

A clear view.

Keep your windshield and windows clean. It's important to clean the inside of your windows at least once a week — more often if you smoke. Use your defrosters to keep front and rear windshields clean. On a cold day, move the heat control to "hot" and let the engine warm up before you turn on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from collecting on the inside of the glass. If the windshield or windows get foggy, open a window slightly and turn the defroster fan to a higher speed. Use your air conditioner to reduce humidity.

While tinted windows have been promoted to reduce glare from the sun and make air conditioning more efficient, they also reduce visibility in inclement weather. Consider options to tinted windows — like sunglasses and sun visors.

A bright idea.

When you drive on wet streets, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, reducing effectiveness by up to 90 percent. Stop periodically during a long trip to clean your headlights. If your vehicle is not equipped with daytime running lights, drive with your low-beam headlights on at all times —especially on dark or overcast days. Use low beams and fog lights in fog.

Recognize a crisis.

When visibility is so limited you can't see the edges of the road or other vehicles at a safe distance, it's time to pull off and wait for the rain to ease up. It's best to stop at a rest area or exit the freeway and go to a protected area. If the roadside is your only option, pull off the road as far as you can, preferably past the end of a guardrail. Vehicles parked at the side of the road are frequently struck by other drivers. Respect the limitations of reduced visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashers on to alert other drivers.

Next: Skills For Driving With Reduced Traction »