Full Notification

The City of Rosemead wants to remind residents to drive safely in the rain. The following safety precautions can help you get to your destinations safely:

• Replace old or brittle wiper blades.
• Don’t drive with your windows frosted or fogged up. Wait until they clear before driving. A quick way to de-fog your windows is to open a window to let cool air in or activate the windshield defroster.
• Slowdown and reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not rainy conditions.
• Brake earlier and with less force, and turn slower than you would in normal driving conditions.
• Leave more room between yourself and other vehicles.
• When getting into the car during rainy conditions, wet shoes may slide from pedals. Dry soles of shoes on vehicle carpet or have a dry pair of shoes in the car to change in to.
• Turn on headlights to help visibility and to help others see you. Also, the law requires headlamps be on whenever windshield wipers are activated.
• Stay Alert and anticipate any potential problems by looking farther ahead.
• “Hydroplaning” happens when heavy rain and fast speeds lead to your vehicle riding on top of a thin layer of water, a dangerous situation that can lead to uncontrolled skidding or drifting out of the lane. If you find yourself hydroplaning or skidding:
o Do not brake or turn suddenly. Ease your foot off the gas until the vehicle slows and you can feel traction on the road again.
o Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. As you recover control, gently straighten the wheels.
o If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping action. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally, the vehicle’s computer will mimic a pumping action.
• Don’t text or talk on your cell phone while driving. The law requires hands-free devices when on the roadway. Wait until you stop in a safe place.
• A flashing red signal light or traffic signals darkened by a power outage, are to be treated the same as an intersection posted with STOP signs.