Ep. 52: Driving in Rain - It's Not Just About Slowing Down

Randy's wife made an observation during a Central Florida downpour: "Nobody knows how to drive in the rain." After living in Arizona, Southern California, and Florida, Randy's heard the same complaint everywhere. This episode explores why rain brings out the worst—and most dangerous—driving behaviors.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
• The two extreme driver types that cause most rain crashes
• Why cruise control in the rain can make you spin out
• Regional differences: Florida vs. California vs. Arizona rain
• The critical difference between DRLs and actual headlights
• When (and when not) to use hazard lights
• How to calculate proper following distance in wet conditions
• The science of hydroplaning and how to avoid it

Randy shares personal observations from each region and explains why "nobody knows how to drive in the rain" is actually true everywhere—most drivers either overcorrect or don't adjust at all. The key is being calculated, not timid or reckless.

Part of the January "Weather Month" series, leading into snow (Episode 53) and extreme conditions (Episode 55).

Chapters

• 0:00 Cole open
• 0:20 Intro
• 0:47 Rain is dsngerous
• 2:12 Driving too Slow in Tain
• 2:36 Sudden Rains
• 3:21 Rain affects Visibility
• 4:13 Space Management in Rwin
• 5:18 Recap
• 6:07 Wrap up
• 6:43 CTA

Transcript

🎙️ Episode 52 – Driving in Rain

🎧 Intro Music + Voiceover
This is Episode 52 of Mastering the Commute. Here’s Randy Keith.

Segment 1 – A Rainy Day in Florida

The other day, it started pouring in Central Florida. Not a light sprinkle—full-on, windshield-wipers-at-max kind of rain.

And my wife turned to me and said, “Nobody knows how to drive in the rain.”
I laughed, because it’s true—but it’s also something I’ve heard everywhere I’ve lived.

When I was in Arizona, people said it.
 When I was in Southern California, people definitely said it.
 And here in Florida, same thing.

So who’s right?

Turns out… everyone is. Because most drivers don’t really adjust when it rains. And if they do, they usually overcorrect in the wrong direction.

Segment 2 – When It Rains, Logic Goes Out the Window

The moment it starts raining, the rules of the road change—but a lot of people don’t change their behavior.

You’ve got two kinds of problems:

1. People who keep driving way too fast, like nothing’s different.
2. People who suddenly slow down to 25 on a 50 mph road with no warning.

Both of those behaviors are dangerous. And the tension they create on the road is where crashes happen. You get chain reactions, abrupt braking, swerving, and flooded lanes where people panic.

Segment 3 – Rain Mistake #1: Driving Too Fast

Let’s start with the fast crowd. You know the ones—still going 70, even though visibility is low and you can barely see tail lights in front of you.

Rain reduces traction. It increases stopping distance. And it hides hazards—potholes, oil slicks, standing water.

If you're going highway speeds in the rain and something happens, you will not be able to react in time. You can hydroplane. You can spin. You can lose control—fast.

Cruise control? Big no. Especially in the rain. If you start to hydroplane with cruise on, your car might accelerate. That’s how you end up facing the wrong way on the freeway.

Segment 4 – Rain Mistake #2: Overcorrecting and Driving Too Slow

On the flip side, slamming on your brakes every five seconds because of a few raindrops isn’t helping either.

Some drivers hit the panic button and slow to a crawl—30 in a 50, or 40 in a 70—without any hazard lights, and often in the center lane.

What they don’t realize is that being unpredictable is what makes you dangerous. Other drivers are still going fast. And now they’re coming up behind you with less visibility and less time to react.

The goal isn’t to be timid—it’s to be calculated.

Segment 5 – Real Talk: Florida vs. California vs. Arizona

Here’s the thing. Florida gets rain often—but mostly in the summer. When you get a winter downpour, it catches people off guard.
In California, it barely rains at all, so when it does, the roads are oily and people panic.
In Arizona, flash floods hit in dry areas with no drainage, so even a little rain can create major hazards.

I’ve lived in all three places. And the common theme?
 People aren’t used to rain. And when you’re not used to something, you don’t drive well in it.

Segment 6 – What to Do Differently

Alright, let’s talk about what you can do to drive smarter when it’s wet out.

🛞 1. Give more space.

Double your normal following distance. Don’t trust your brakes. Trust your distance.

🚫 2. Avoid sudden moves.

No hard braking. No jerky lane changes. Smooth, steady inputs.

🔧 3. Maintain your wipers.

If your wipers are leaving streaks, they’re not helping. Replace them. It’s worth it.

💡 4. Turn on your lights—manually.

Auto lights don’t always trigger in the rain, and they don’t activate your tail lights. Turn them on so others can see you.

🌧 5. Don’t rely on traction.

Even with good tires, wet roads behave differently. Brake earlier. Ease into turns. And stay alert for puddles or standing water, especially in intersections and turn lanes.

Segment 7 – And Most Important: Look Ahead

Driving in the rain is about situational awareness. Don’t stare at the bumper in front of you—look three cars ahead.

Anticipate brake lights. Anticipate puddles. Watch how others are behaving, but don’t follow their lead just because they seem confident.

Remember: You don’t get bonus points for being brave.
 You get home safely by being alert.

🎧 Outro

If this reminded you of a rainy-day near-miss—or a time you hydroplaned and learned your lesson the hard way—email me at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com. I’d love to feature your story in a future episode.

And hey—follow me on YouTube and Facebook @masteringthecommute.
 Grab your free eBook Drive Smarter Now at drivesmarternow.com.

Rain doesn’t cause accidents. Drivers do.
 But you don’t have to be one of them.

Draft 2::

🎙️ Episode 52 – Driving in Rain: It’s Not Just About Slowing Down

[Cold Open Teaser]
It’s just a little rain, right? Then why are your wipers maxed out, your heart’s racing, and that one car just flew past you doing 90?

[Intro Music and Voiceover]
This is Mastering the Commute, and I’m Randy Keith. Today, we’re diving into a common but underestimated topic: Driving in the Rain. Whether you live in Florida where summer downpours are the norm, or you’re hitting unexpected showers on a road trip, this episode might save your sanity—or even your life.

Segment 1: Rain Changes Everything

When the first drops hit the road, they don’t just make things wet—they make them slick. That’s because oil residue rises to the surface, creating a greasy film that makes the road feel like a slip-and-slide.

If you’ve ever skidded even slightly in rain, that’s what you’re feeling. And if it hasn’t rained for days or weeks, the first 10–30 minutes of rain can be the most dangerous time to drive.

Segment 2: Visibility is Half the Battle

Rain doesn’t just affect the road—it affects what you can see.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use your headlights—not your brights—so others can see you.
• Check your wipers regularly. Streaks = time to replace.
• Keep your defogger ready. Foggy windows can sneak up fast.

And remember: Many newer cars have automatic daytime running lights, but they don’t always activate your taillights. Make sure your full lights are on in heavy rain.

Segment 3: Following Distance & Braking

In dry conditions, you’re taught to leave 3 seconds between you and the car ahead. In rain? Make it at least 5 or 6.

And use your gas pedal to manage distance—not just your brake. Tapping your brakes constantly is a sign you’re too close or reacting too late.

Brake early and gently. Hydroplaning happens above 45 mph, especially with worn tires or shallow tread. If you hydroplane, don’t slam the brakes—ease off the gas and steer straight until you regain control.

Segment 4: When to Slow Down… and When Not To

Yes, slow down—but not in a way that surprises everyone around you.

If you go 25 mph on the freeway in a 65 zone, you’re now a hazard too. If you absolutely must drive slowly, stay in the right lane, flashers off, and exit if needed. Only use hazard lights if you’re well below traffic speed and visibility is severely limited.

(We’ll dive deeper into hazard light use in Episode 54.)

Segment 5: Florida Rain vs. Northern Rain

Let’s talk geography.

In places like Florida or Texas, summer rains come in sheets. Visibility drops to near-zero in seconds. Hydroplaning is common. And people forget to adjust.

In the north or Pacific Northwest, the rain may be lighter but lasts longer. That means driver fatigue, puddling in unexpected places, and mental zoning-out.

In both cases, you need to stay alert, plan further ahead, and accept that your commute might just take longer.

Segment 6: Quick Tips for Safer Rain Driving

Let’s recap:

• Turn on your headlights and taillights
• Replace your wiper blades regularly
• Check your tires—tread depth matters
• Increase following distance
• Avoid cruise control in heavy rain
• Don’t slam brakes if you hydroplane
• Use hazard lights only when moving significantly slower than traffic or stopped on the shoulder

[Outro]

Rain is part of life—but losing control on the freeway doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s a passing storm or a long drive through wet weather, mastering your behavior in the rain is a key part of becoming a smarter commuter.

If this episode reminded you of a rainy close call—or if you’ve got tips from driving in downpours across the country—I’d love to hear them. Email me at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com.

Follow me on Facebook and YouTube @masteringthecommute, and don’t forget to download your free copy of my new e-book Drive Smarter Now at drivesmarternow.com.

Until next time—stay visible, stay smooth, and keep mastering the commute.