It’s gearing up to be another week of storms, rain, and wet weather in the Old Pueblo. Monsoon season in Tucson is one of the most exciting. It’s also one of the most dangerous. Drivers get stranded. Cars get struck by lightning. And when people aren’t careful in these powerful storms, they and the people around them could get hurt.

To help you stay safer, here are some monsoon safety tips to remember if you’re ever on the roads while it’s storming.

Pull Over If You Don’t Have Good Windshield Wipers

Your windshield wipers clear your line of vision so you can see upcoming potholes (we have quite a few of those around here), puddles, or washes. Without them, you could hit something unexpectedly, sending your car into a tailspin or flattening your tire.

If you’re worried about this happening to you, bring your car by and we’ll let you know if it’s time to replace your windshield wipers.

Turn On Your Headlights

It’s harder for everyone to see you when the rain is coming down in sheets. Turning on your headlights might not illuminate the road for you, but it will make you more visible to other drivers.

Slow Down

Remember hydroplaning from your high school Driver’s Ed class? It’s a real danger, especially in monsoon downpours. It happens when your car loses traction from the road through a layer of water, causing it to slide. This can happen in as little as 1/12 inches of water.

To avoid hydroplaning, slow down. If you notice your car starts to hydroplane, let your foot off the accelerator slowly and keep your wheel straight until your car gets traction again.

Don’t Use Cruise Control

When you’re driving down Old Spanish Trail or making all the lights on Houghton, cruise control is nice to have. But when the rain hits, turn it off right away.

Cruise control and rain don’t mix. Driving with it on could cause you to lose control. If your car hydroplanes, your wheels will start to spin faster, making it harder to regain control of your vehicle.

Have a Plan if You Skid

Skidding in the rain is more common than you might realize. If you start to skid, continue to look in the direction of where you want the car to go – not in the direct your car is heading. Also, ease onto the brakes. Don’t slam them.

Stay safe out there, Tucson!