Probability of a Fatal Car Crash in Rain
34% of weather-related crashes
Conditional probability in US
Wet pavement contributes to about 70% of weather-related crashes and 34% of weather-related fatalities in the US annually.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 70% of weather-related crashes and 34% of weather-related crash fatalities involve wet pavement. Rain itself is a factor in about 46% of weather-related crashes. Each year, roughly 5,700 people are killed and 544,700 injured in weather-related crashes, the majority involving rain or wet roads.
Rain increases crash risk through reduced visibility, longer stopping distances (wet brakes are less effective), hydroplaning, and glare from wet road surfaces at night. The first 10-15 minutes of rain can be the most dangerous, as oil and debris on the road surface create an especially slippery film before being washed away.
Reducing speed by 5-10 mph in rain, maintaining proper tire tread depth (at least 2/32 of an inch), increasing following distance to at least 5-6 seconds, avoiding cruise control on wet roads, and turning on headlights all significantly reduce rain-related crash risk. If visibility drops below about 200 feet, pulling off the road and waiting for conditions to improve is recommended.
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