Do Not Use Cruise Control When It’s Raining

What Are the Risks?

Cruise control is a great feature for a long trip, especially if you are driving on a long stretch of highway. However, using cruise control on wet roads poses serious risks to your vehicle hydroplaning. Precipitation combined with oil and grease on the road can create excess slippage on the road that your vehicle’s tires may not be able to tread through fast enough, and when this happens, your vehicle will hydroplane, otherwise known as sliding on top of the road water. Hydroplaning can happen in some vehicles at speeds as low as 35 mph.

Driving with the Cruise control can make hydroplaning worse because your vehicle is trying to keep at the programmed speed you have selected making it difficult for the vehicle to slow down quicker in the event of a large oil puddle or heavy downpour.

How Do I Prevent My Vehicle from Hydroplaning?

If you start to skid or hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, grasp the steering wheel with both hands, and steer toward the direction of the skid. Once you have some control you can correct your car and get centered back into your lane. You should also follow these safety tips for handling adverse weather conditions:

1. Turn off your cruise control any time it is raining and slow your vehicle down;
2. Use polarized sunglasses that will block out horizontal light rays making it easier to see details such as road markings through the rain and see further in fog or smog for daytime driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision due to another driver’s failure to observe these adverse weather safety precautions, you may have a potential personal injury claim for damages. The Ammons Law Firm and its team have the legal resources and experience to assist you. Call (281) 801-5617.