How to Drive in Rain in Ontario

Rain reduces road friction, increases stopping distances, and limits visibility. Wet roads can take up to twice the distance to stop on compared to dry ones. Water also creates a thin film on pavement that is especially slippery in the first 20-30 minutes of rainfall, before it fully rinses away surface oils and debris.

The most important adjustments in rain are speed and space. Reduce your speed below the posted limit when conditions are poor. More importantly, increase your following distance to 3-4 seconds. On dry roads, the 2-second rule is sufficient. In rain, you need more room to stop safely. To measure: pick a fixed point, wait for the car ahead to pass it, then count to four. If you pass the point before finishing the count, you are too close.

Ontario law requires you to turn on your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers. Use low beams, not high beams. High beams reflect off rain and reduce your forward visibility. Low beams help other drivers see you without creating glare. Do not drive with just daytime running lights in rain: they do not turn on your tail lights, which makes you harder to see from behind.

Hydroplaning happens when your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road. You will feel the steering go light or vague. If it happens: ease off the gas gently, do not brake hard, and hold the wheel straight until traction returns. Hydroplaning is most likely at highway speeds in heavy rain. Properly inflated tires with good tread depth greatly reduce the risk.

Small habits make a significant difference in wet conditions.