What is the recommended action when driving in heavy rain?

When driving in heavy rain, the recommended action is to reduce speed and use low beam headlights. Slowing down is crucial because heavy rain can create hazardous driving conditions, such as decreased visibility and increased stopping distances. Reducing speed allows drivers more time to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions and helps prevent hydroplaning, which can occur when tires lose contact with the road due to water.

Using low beam headlights is essential in heavy rain as it provides better visibility without causing glare, which can impair the vision of oncoming drivers. High beams can reflect off the rain and create a blinding effect, making it harder to see both your surroundings and the road ahead.

In contrast, speeding up to avoid hydroplaning is not a safe practice because it increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle. Turning on high beam headlights in such conditions can worsen visibility rather than improve it, and turning off windshield wipers is dangerous as it prevents the driver from seeing the road clearly. Therefore, reducing speed and using low beam headlights is the safest and most effective way to drive in heavy rain.