slippery when wet road sign

Understanding Slippery When Wet Road Signs

You’re cruising down the highway when you spot a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a black figure slipping. “Slippery When Wet,” it cautions. This type of road sign is trying to give you a heads up that conditions on the road ahead may get a bit dicey when it rains.
We’ve all seen these signs, but do we really know what they mean and how to safely navigate slippery roads? Let’s break it down.

What Does a Slippery When Wet Sign Mean?

The slippery road sign is a warning sign that’s conveying: “Hey there, just wanted to give you a friendly reminder that this stretch of road tends to get slippery AF when it rains or snows.”
So if the skies decide to open up and drench the roads, you’ll want to take extra caution in this area as a thin film of water may cause a loss of tire grip. And that makes controlling your car harder.
The sign doesn’t necessarily mean the road itself is slippery at that very moment (although it could be). It’s more of a heads up that when precipitation falls, conditions can get messy.

Why Are Some Roads More Slippery When Wet?

You may be wondering why certain roads seem more impacted by wet weather. A few factors come into play:

Road Materials

Some road surfaces get more slippery than others when wet:
Asphalt – Tend to get pretty slick with standing water or snowmelt on top. The smooth surface doesn’t give tires much to “bite” into.
Concrete – More grooves and texture than asphalt, so water can escape from under tires. Still can get slippery though.
Gravel/Dirt – Rain turns them into mud which is like driving on ice. Can lead to skidding or getting stuck.
Older Roads – May be worn down over time so water doesn’t drain well. No longer have as much texture for grip.

Road Design

How the road is engineered and sloped impacts drainage too. Poor drainage leads to pooled water.
Curves or sections at the bottom of hills tend to stay wet and hold moisture longer after rain or snow. Gravity causes water to collect in these spots.
Bridges and overpasses can be dicey as well since they lose warmth faster on cold nights. Snow and ice stick around longer than on regular roads.

Driving Speed

Faster speeds reduce the actual amount of tire contact you have with the roadway. So when the pavement is wet, you need more distance to slow down safely.
At 65mph on wet roads, stopping distance is doubled compared to dry conditions according to NHTSA. Slowing way down gives tires a fighting chance to grip.

How to Drive on Wet, Slippery Roads

When you come across a slippery road sign, here are some smart driving tips to improve safety:

Lower Your Speed

This is rule #1. SLOW DOWN! I know we’re all busy, but pumping the brakes gives you way more control than slamming them. Drop 5-10 mph below the posted speed limit if it’s raining steadily or roads look slick.

Increase Following Distance

Letting more cushion between you and the car ahead helps avoid rear-end collisions if anyone hits the brakes suddenly.

Avoid Cruise Control

It can lead to hydroplaning since it doesn’t adjust speed for standing water on the road. Better to be fully in control.

Gentle Braking & Acceleration

Any abrupt steering, braking or acceleration could cause skidding and loss of control. Easy does it.

Watch for Puddles & Standing Water

Try to steer around them or slow to a crawl before driving through. Deep water can lead to hydroplaning.

Turn on Headlights

Makes your vehicle more visible to others in low visibility. Utah law actually requires headlights when raining.

Avoid Cruise Control & Overdrive

These functions can lead to loss of control on slippery surfaces. Better to be fully in command.

Vehicle Maintenance Tips for Wet Weather Driving

A well maintained car handles better when pavement gets slick. Be proactive with:
Tire Tread – Inspect regularly and replace tires when tread gets to 4/32 inch. Bald tires = no grip.
Tire Pressure – Keep inflated to recommendation on door placard. Under-inflated leads to hydroplaning.
Windshield Wipers – Replace every 6 months or when blades chatter and skip. Good wipers = better visibility.
Fluids – Check oil, coolant, brake , transmission and windshield wiper fluids. Top them off to proper levels.
Lights – Make sure all exterior lights work properly so others see you. Headlights get dim over time.
Brakes – Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Have pads & rotors checked if concerned. Better to replace early.
Battery & Alternator – Cold weather is tough on batteries. Have charging system tested before winter.

When to Stay Off Slippery Roads

Sometimes it’s best not to drive at all if conditions deteriorate too much. Trust your gut if:
Heavy rain flooding roads – Stalling out or hydroplaning risks
Snow/ice covering pavement – Salt trucks may not have been out yet
Fog reducing visibility – Other cars could suddenly appear

What to Do If You Start Skidding

Hopefully paying attention to those slippery road signs helps avoid skids in the first place. But stuff happens sometimes.
If you do start hydroplaning or sliding sideways, here are tips from Geico:
First off, don’t panic or slam on the brakes. That makes things worse.
Gently ease off the gas pedal to slow down.
Hold the wheel firmly and steer in the direction you want the car to go.
Look for a safe place to pull over and come to a stop if you don’t regain control quickly.
Once stopped, turn off cruise control, dry brakes by gently pressing them. Proceed cautiously once clear.

Legal Responsibilities around Slippery Road Signs

In the eyes of the law, seeing a slippery road sign means you’ve officially been warned about hazardous conditions ahead.
So if you proceed without taking reasonable safety precautions like slowing down, and end up in an accident – you could be considered partially or fully liable depending on circumstances.
It’s what personal injury attorneys refer to as “negligence per se.” The slippery road sign sets a reasonable standard of care that drivers should follow.
If your actions clearly violated that standard, and someone gets injured as a result, a judge may rule you were negligent and owe damages to any injured parties.
The key is being able to prove you made a good faith effort to drive cautiously after seeing the warning sign. Evidence like:
Driving at or below the speed limit
Attempting to brake and steer out of an impending skid
Having properly maintained tires with decent tread depth
All demonstrate you took the caution sign seriously and tried to drive safely. That stacks things more in your favor liability-wise.

Exceptions to Negligence Liability

There are some cases where you may not be considered negligent for an accident even after seeing a slippery road sign:
Sudden & Unexpected Icing – If temperatures unexpectedly plummeted and left roads an ice rink with no warning. Courts may see this as unavoidable “act of God” that catches drivers off guard.
Mechanical Failures – If your brakes gave out suddenly, or tie rods broke leading to an accident. As long as you properly maintained the vehicle, mechanical issues are generally not seen as driver negligence.
️ Poor Road Design or Maintenance – When accidents occur due to inadequate drainage, potholes, or lack of signage – liability shifts more to the government entity responsible for road design and upkeep.
Bottom line – the slippery road sign is a heads up to use extreme caution. But legal fault still depends heavily on specific details surrounding any accident.

Drive Defensively, My Friends

Hopefully this gives you a better understanding around those yellow slippery when wet road signs popping up along your route. They’re a well-intentioned warning so take heed.
Slowing down, increasing space between cars, and avoiding standing water can go a long way in staying safe. Drive over-cautiously and give your tires a fighting chance to grip the road.