TZD Tuesday - Cruise Control on Wet Roads

The spring and summer seasons can have their share of heavy rains and thunderstorms. Using cruise control on wet or slippery roads could send you on a cruise – straight into the ditch or oncoming traffic!

With dry road conditions, cruise control helps you safely monitor your speed, stay within the speed limit and improve driving comfort on long, fairly straight stretches of road. It should be used only when you are able to drive at a steady speed with safe road conditions.

On wet roads, if your wheels lose traction, the cruise control will continue to accelerate, causing the vehicle to skid. By the time you realize you are skidding, it could be too late.

When deciding if you should set your cruise control:

• Ask yourself if it’s safe to travel the speed limit. If not, it isn’t safe to set your cruise.
• Is there limited visibility? If it’s foggy or raining and your visibility range is significantly reduced, play it safe. Don’t set your cruise.
• Is traffic moving smoothly? If it’s stop-and-go, or there’s heavy traffic around you, it’s not safe to use cruise.

Remember that using your cruise control can be an advantage when driving long distances, but YOU are your vehicle’s best safety feature.