Yes, it’s dangerous to drive with cruise control in the rain or snow | VERIFY

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With slick road conditions and rainy weather, it’s important to prioritize safety on the road. 

This includes turning on your lights, using windshield wipers and slowing down. However, a WCNC Charlotte viewer reached out with a question: is it safe to use cruise control in these conditions?

Is it true that driving in the rain with cruise control is dangerous? Has new technology made this less of a problem?

Yes, driving in the rain with cruise control is dangerous.

According to the NHTSA, cruise control is best used on long, open highways when weather conditions are clear, and it is safe to drive at a steady speed. However, when it comes to wet weather, using cruise control is not recommended.

“In wet conditions, do not use cruise control,” Wright said. “The chances of losing control of your vehicle greatly increase.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that 70% of weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement, with 46% happening during rainfall.

“When you are in cruise control you don’t have the ability to be completely in control of your vehicle and it lessens your reaction time,” Wright shared.

AAA explains that on wet roads, cruise control set at too fast a speed could cause the vehicle to hydroplane when it encounters standing water. On very low-traction surfaces such as ice and snow, cruise control operation can result in a skid or spin.

Some newer vehicles come equipped with advanced technology that can prevent cruise control from engaging in wet conditions. But it’s still best to avoid using it altogether when driving in the rain.

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