What safety measure should you take when driving in heavy rain?

Reducing your speed and increasing your following distance is crucial when driving in heavy rain due to the potential for reduced visibility and slick road conditions. Water on the road can cause hydroplaning, where your vehicle loses contact with the road surface. By driving slower, you get better traction, and increasing your following distance gives you more time to react to sudden stops or emergencies. This is essential for maintaining control of the vehicle and ensuring safety for yourself and other road users.

While increasing speed might seem like a way to minimize time spent in poor weather, it actually increases the risk of losing control. Using high beam headlights in heavy rain can create glare and reduce visibility rather than improving it, as the light reflects off the water droplets. Turning around and heading home might be reasonable if conditions are extremely dangerous, but it is not always a practical solution; sometimes you must continue driving responsibly. Therefore, adjusting your speed and following distance is the most effective way to navigate safely in heavy rain.