Dash cam footage was submitted to KRON 4’s Stanley Robert’s showing an SUV losing control in the rain and smashing into a k-rail.
Rain, sleet, or snow. We’re not the post office but if you live in the Bay Area there isn’t much that’s going to stop you from getting to where you need to go. But according to a video submitted as a tip to KRON 4’s Stanley Robert’s earlier today (Apr. 7,2017), it may behoove you to slow down at the first signs of rain and continue to drive slow as the road’s stay wet. Check out the video for yourself below and read on as we’ll give you some common sense tips for driving in the rain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANFHIc4GrY&feature=youtu.be
The dashcam footage isn’t the best but the driver does have telemetry data showing the speed of his car and the resolution is good enough to make out that it’s definitely pouring. With his wipers going near the top of their speed, you know it’s not exactly sprinkling. The dash cam’s car is traveling at an average speed of around 60 MPH which is advisable, just below the 65 MPH speed limit. Technically you should be running a tad slower than that but then again traffic would be coming fast behind you.
Traffic is clear and there are no signs of slower traffic ahead so while you can definitely go a bit faster, the weather dictates you to take it easy. On the far left lane, a car speeds past the dash cam car at what we assume to be around 80 MPH, definitely speeding but not out of the norm for California drivers (on dry roads.) 24 seconds in and we see the speeding SUV lose control, tap his brakes in order to regain steering and unfortunately careen into abarrier on his left separating himself from the other lane.
This entire situation could’ve been avoided. Here are some common sense tips that everyone should remember when the roads are wet. We’ll refer to the good ol’ DMV.
First, you want to make sure that your car is ready for wet weather driving, that means a visual inspection of all your tread on each tire to make sure there’s enough. Without tread depth water can’t evacuate quickly and you won’t have traction when needed.
For wet roads, the DMV says you should drive 5-10 MPH slower than usual. Realistically in California, if the speed limit is 65 MPH, most people will be normally driving at least 70 MPH so driving at or a tad below the posted speed limit is a good rule of thumb for rain. If you feel your car losing control even at those speeds, slow down a bit more for your own safety and consider taking the first exit to wait out the heaviest of the rain. Keep in mind the first few minutes of rain exposes oil left by cars making roads more slippery than usual.
That’s it really. Make sure you have tire depth, drive slow, and you’ll arrive at your destination safely and sound on a rainy day.
