Why do roads get so slippery when wet? Here’s what to know as rain returns to Modesto area

Drivers in the Modesto area should watch out for slick roads as rain returns to the capital region, according to the National Weather Service.

“Be sure to slow down over wet pavements as conditions maybe slick this time of year,” the weather service said in an X post on Monday, Sept. 16.

Motor oil leaks from cars onto roads and driveways, mixing with rain to create slippery surfaces, according to meteorologist Anna Wanless with the National Weather Service.

“People aren’t necessarily comfortable driving in the rain, especially if it’s been awhile,” Wanless told The Sacramento Bee in 2022. “So just give yourself extra time to get to work. … Expect a longer commute home as well.”

How to drive safely on roads during rain

Rain, coupled with speeds of 50 mph or more can result in your tires losing contact with the road, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles’ California Driver Handbook .

When it rains, drive up to 10 mph slower.

“Slow down at the first sign of rain, especially after a dry spell,” the DMV wrote on its website. “A slippery road will not give your tires the grip they need.”

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