(WKYT)—With lots of rain in the forecast for Kentucky, drivers will need to take extra precautions on the roads to stay safe.
Insurance agent Claude Singleton says his agency sees an increase in accident claims during times of heavy rain.
“They slow down for the snow, but they are not slowing down for the water, although it can have much the same effect,” said Singleton. “It greatly changes the traction that you are getting.”
The Federal Highway Administration reports that every year, 75% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement, and 47% happen during rainfall. Most of the issues stem from the way your tires interact with the water on the roads.
“The tread of your tires only push out so much water. So, the faster you are going, the harder it is for those tires to push the water away which creates the hydroplaning where your tire is sliding on the water,” said Jim Peters, APEX Driving School.
Vehicles can hydroplane with only a tenth of an inch of water, making it easy to lose control when going speeds 50 miles an hour or more.
If you do plan on hitting the roads in periods of excessive rain, make sure you slow down preemptively to avoid causing a collision.
“You want to be able to just take your foot off the gas, don’t accelerate, just take your foot off, get control, and then manage your speed at that point,” said Peters. “Its’ better to let it pass and drive in the lighter rain than the heavier rain.”