Driving In Austin On A Rainy Day: A User's Guide

I spent way too much time driving today, and as some of you know, it rained cats and dogs this afternoon and MoPac was was not fun! I noticed today and on other rainy days that way too many Austin drivers don't seem to understand that you can't drive on a rainy day in the same way that you do on a dry day. I learned to drive while I was living in Seattle, WA so I have a lot more respect for wet weather and roads. It doesn't rain here in Austin as much, but it is important that drivers remember these basic rules. I'm surprised that more local drivers don't already follow these rules.

1. Turn your headlights on! This is especially important if your car is gray, silver, or white, your car is about the same color as rain, so drivers won't see you during a heavy downpour, so you could get hit, turn on your lights and you have a better chance at, at least, being seen by other drivers.
2. Don't tailgate! Tailgating is dangerous enough on a sunny day, but when you add wet roads trouble will happen; if the car in front of you brakes suddenly you may, instead of stopping when you hit brakes, skid on the wet road and crash into the car in front.
3. Don't do anything to make cars slam on the brakes, like cutting in front of drivers when there is barley room for you, in other words don't cut anyone off! See #2, but you will be the one getting hit.
4. Slow down! Why? That wet roads thing again. You may expect to stop when you brake, but your tires may have other plans. Travelling at a slower speed may increase chances to stop safely.

This has been a Random Rant.

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