[MJD]

A 36-year-old female had an accident several weeks
ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas, she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessive, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know:

NEVER HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN IT RAINS.

She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain.

But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane -- when your tires lose contact with the pavement your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take
off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was
exactly what had occurred. We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane. You are at the mercy of the Good Lord. The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed-but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.

[Dana]

Thanks MJ...I didn't know that at all. I never use it anyway, but now I know that if I ever ge the urge to avoid it under those road conditions.

[Maria]

Thank you for the heads up

[Ready2Go]

Very very true. Thanks for the post MJD.

[Erin]

Thanks for the heads up. I was just discussing cruise-control with Cavey. It can save money as far as gas milage - I use it all the time. It never occured to me not to use it in the rain.
Thanks for the heads up!

[Ready2Go]

Originally Posted by Erin

Thanks for the heads up. I was just discussing cruise-control with Cavey. It can save money as far as gas milage - I use it all the time. It never occured to me not to use it in the rain.
Thanks for the heads up!

You should stop using it in your driveway too. Just a thought.

[angell1975]

I didn't know this either. Thanks for the heads up!

[The Goof Father]

I have had cruise control in most of my vehicles, but I never use it. I like to be in CONTROL...

[PrincessJill]

oh my gosh, I had no idea. I use it all the time. Thanks for posting this, MJD. :)