Cruise control is an immersive technology used in vehicles to avoid exceeding the speeding limit. But sometimes it can be risky while driving in bad weather. Cruise control on rainy days can affect the car’s software intelligence ability to maintain a constant speed. It can also cause the vehicle to hydroplane when the car drives on standing water if it is set at the highest speed and can result in a skid on surfaces like ice and snow. To know about hydroplane and skid accidents, click on learn more.
Dangers of cruise control on a rainy day
Heavy rainfall can cause any vehicle to hydroplane. When water is collected on the road, it can be deep enough that the tires can not press the water through the tread quickly enough, causing the tire to lift up on the water resulting in “hydroplaning.”
Other than water, hydroplane can occur depending on the speed. Research shows hydroplaning can occur even at 35mph and can be more dangerous as speed increases. Road conditions can also increase hydroplaning chances. Other than hydroplaning, there are other issues that we can face during a rainy day.
- Limited visibility
Rainy weather reduces visibility, making it difficult to spot other vehicles, obstacles, or modifications in road conditions. If the driver has alerted the cruise control, they will become less alert and can not react quickly to hazards, increasing the crash risk.
- Poor road conditions
Rainy weather can make road conditions dangerous, like reduced action, increased water accumulations, and poor visibility. If the driver engages in cruise control, the technology can not adapt to the changing road conditions leading to the risk of a crash.
- Hydroplaning
When the water is standing on the road, the risk of hydroplaning increases. It occurs when the tires do not come in contact with the road surface and starts to “float” on the layer of water, reducing the control of the vehicle. When cruise control is activated, the driver can not quickly reduce the speed of applying the brakes, which increases the risk of a crash.
- Loss of control
Rainy weather can cause any vehicle to skid or slide. Once the driver sets their car on cruise control, they may be unable to regain the car control quickly, increasing the risk of a car crash.
In short, cruise control technology is a good initiative to reduce the driver’s fatigue while driving long distances, but it should be avoided on a rainy days. It is essential for drivers to stay alert and maintain a safe distance to avoid accidents during rainy days.