With more rain anticipated in the coming days, Cloverdale Police urges motorists to use caution while driving on the roadways. When roads are wet from rain, water over the roadway reduces your vehicle’s tire traction and rain can reduce or impair a driver’s view of the road. The following safety precautions should be considered while driving in the rain:
- Only travel in heavy rain when necessary, and always leave extra time to safely reach your destination
- When getting into the car during rainy conditions, wet shoes may slide from pedals. Dry soles of shoes on vehicle carpeting or rubber matting if possible
- Be aware and avoid flooded areas--never attempt to cross running or flooded water
- Buckle up
- Turn on headlights to see and be seen
- Defrost windows if necessary, both before and while driving
- Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not rainy conditions
- Wipers and headlights must be on while driving in rain or snow
- Keep additional distance from other vehicles
- Watch carefully for other vehicles and pedestrians
- Brake earlier and with less force, and turn slower, than you would in normal driving conditions
- Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles
- Temporarily pull off the road to a safe location if you have difficulty seeing the roadway or other traffic
