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“Regardless of how (bad it’s raining) or which kind of weather there is, the number one key factor is planning ahead,” Naureen Raziq, the director of communications and an instructor at Toronto’s Globe Driving Academy, told the Star.

“People only associate dangerous conditions or safety when it comes to a rainy day聽鈥斅燽ut this is something that should be followed every day that you are on the road,” she said.

Here are her main tips for safe driving.

Plan out your route before leaving

For Raziq, it’s key that drivers plan ahead and map out their routes before departure聽鈥� especially during bad weather. During heavy rain, for example, drivers should learn of areas more prone to flooding and avoid those roads.

“A lot of driving has to be done mentally beforehand by planning ahead, even if you’re doing a civilian route,” she said. “I always look to see how long it’s going to be and what the road looks like, because it can change from day to day. It may be construction is going on, but it (wasn’t) going on yesterday.”

Make sure you know of the weather conditions at your destination and along your route, and plan accordingly, she continued. If it is raining, make sure to leave earlier as you can expect traffic conditions to be worse than usual.

Check that your vehicle is working

Perform a circle check before departure

No matter the weather conditions, drivers should always perform a circle check before heading out, Raziq explained. This means circling around the vehicle looking for any signs of damage or malfunction.

“You always walk around the vehicle to make sure there’s no leakage coming under the vehicle or the tires are okay,” she said. “There’s no scratches that happened maybe overnight, especially if the car is parked on a main road. Maybe something can be broken overnight.

“Try to do that before you even get into the vehicle, to not face any potential issues when you go driving on the road.”

Check that your windshield wipers are working

The most common mistake when it comes to driving in the rain that Raziq has encountered is not having functional windshield wipers.听

“People don’t get that checked regularly,” she said. “Only on a day when it’s actually raining is when they will use it聽鈥� and when it’s not working, that’s one of the things that leads to collisions.”

Make sure they’re working properly and not worn out before you hit the road. If they need replacing, do it immediately instead of waiting for the next rain or snow storm.

Make sure you have proper tires

It’s crucial your tires have around the recommended air pressure of 30 or 32 PSI, and that they can maintain enough friction with the ground to provide traction.

All-season tires are usually sufficient for driving in the rain, Raziq said聽鈥� just make sure the treads aren’t too worn down. She often sees drivers using off-market tires that, while they match the make and model of the vehicle, are of inferior quality with poor traction that can lead to collisions.

Improve visibility where possible

Turn on your fog lights when raining

In heavy rain, it’s important to turn your fog lights on 鈥� another frequent mistake Raziq sees drivers making. These lights shine a low and flat beam close to the ground, cutting through low-visibility conditions and making it easier to see.

Do not turn on your high beam headlights, as the light could reflect off falling rain and make visibility worse, .

Turn on ventilation in front of the dashboard

Make sure the area in front of your dashboard is well ventilated, like with air conditioning, to avoid fog build-up in the window, Raziq said. Air conditioning serves to whisk away moisture in the air, helping keep your window clear.

“Sometimes when you have the air conditioning on, you have it pointed at your feet or face. Just make sure to also have it on at the front dashboard” to de-fog your window, she said.

How to avoid collisions and hydroplaning

Keep a wider distance from vehicles ahead of you

When driving under ideal conditions, drivers should maintain three-to-five seconds of distance from the car in front. In wet and slippery conditions, this changes to five to seven seconds of distance, Raziq explained, as tires may have a harder time getting traction when braking on wet surfaces.

Additionally, drivers should drive slower and look ahead for coming traffic impediments聽鈥� ideally looking “three traffic lights ahead” if possible when driving on busy city streets.

Avoid sudden聽braking and turning when hydroplaning

Hydroplaning happens when your tires lose traction with the road, instead skidding forward on a thin film of water. This can commonly cause accidents or collisions on wet surfaces, Raziq said.

Once you feel this happen, do not slam on the brakes聽as many new drivers do, she continued, explaining: “Your car will rotate and you will lose control of your vehicle.”

Similarly, avoid turning the vehicle too much, which could cause it to spin further out of control. Steer in the direction that you’re sliding, instead of against it.

Finally, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually, eventually coming to a stop.听

Avoid flooded areas

It might seem obvious, but you should avoid flooded areas and pools of standing water if at all possible, Raziq said. Similarly, if you hear a storm is on the way, it’s a good idea to move your car to an area of higher elevation if possible to avoid damages.

“We always tell our students, don’t risk going through deep flooded roads or areas,” she said. “When you plan ahead, you know that certain areas are going to be flooded, especially if you drive a lot.”

On Tuesday, the city of 海角社区官网is warning residents to avoid Lake Shore Boulevard near Ontario Place and the bike lanes of the westbound Bloor Viaduct due to flooding; you can check current road closures and restrictions in Toronto, including flooding, using the聽.听

Don’t open the hood if your car breaks down

If your car breaks down on the side of the road and it’s currently raining, Raziq urges you not to pop the hood and investigate yourself. The rain could damage the car’s electronics and make matters worse, she said.

“If your car breaks down, walk out of the vehicle, find a safe spot by the vehicle and call a tow truck or whoever,” she continued. ”... We never invite you to open the hood yourself, unless you know what you’re doing and it’s a day where it’s not raining.”