Rain driving tips: why crashes happen at low speeds
Most people picture serious wet-weather crashes happening on highways at big speeds. But a lot of damage happens much closer to home, in traffic, in car parks, at intersections, and on ordinary roads where drivers think they are moving “slow enough”. That is the trap. In rain, low speed can still be the perfect speed for a rear-end hit, a slide into the car ahead, or a bad decision made half a second too late. Why this matters Wet roads change how a car responds, and low-speed driving often makes people less alert. When drivers relax too much, follow too closely, or rush simple turns and braking, small mistakes become crashes. Step-by-step method 1. Respect the first bit of rain The first rain after a dry spell can be surprisingly slippery. Dirt, oil, dust, and road grime mix with water and sit on the surface before they wash away. This is why plenty of low-speed crashes happen early in wet weather. A driver rolls into a roundabout, a set of lights, or a bend at a speed tha...