Driving when the sun is shining is a whole different ball game from trying to navigate during a torrential downpour. When the sky opens up, it’s time to take a deep breath and remember the rules of the road for rainy day driving.

The first rule to remember is to never be afraid to just get to a safe place and wait it out. If you cannot see five feet in front of your car, changes are others cannot see you either. It is okay to err on the side of caution and eliminate the risk of a crash. If you do stop, try to pull over in a parking lot. If this is not possible, make sure to put on your hazard lights and get your car out of the driving lanes.

Now, if visibility is still present, but the rain is coming down anyway, these tips can keep you safer:

•Use extreme caution – It is not necessary to race to a destination during a downpour. This is especially so after long periods without rain. A build up of oil and grease on highways following dry periods can transform asphalt into a very slick surface.
•Maintain distance – While it is always recommended to maintain several car lengths’ distance, rain calls for even more caution. Be sure to give yourself plenty of space on the road and resist the urge to ride too close to others.
•Go easy on the brakes – Slamming on the brakes during a rain storm is a recipe for disaster. Instead, maintain that distance and give yourself plenty of time to brake earlier and more softly. Your car simply needs more time to react in the rain.
•Don’t cruise – A rainy day is not the time to rely on cruise control. While this feature is handy, it can cause all kinds of problems in a storm. You want your feet on the pedals and you want to have complete control of the car when conditions are bad outside.

Driving in the rain can be perilous. Exercise caution, take your time and slow down to enjoy greater safety as you go from Point A to Point B.