Windshield wipers may have dried out in the heat of the summer. The rubber squeegee of the blade should be smooth. An uneven surface can interfere with clearing moisture off the windshield, which can hamper your visibility. Replace your wiper blades if necessary.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, many drivers don’t see as well as they should because they follow too closely (tailgate), and the vehicle ahead blocks their view of the road. The more space allowed between your car and the car ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard or accident down the road. You will have more time to stop, or to avoid the hazard.

Use the "three-second rule" to avoid following too closely. When the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point, such as a sign, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." This takes about three seconds. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely.

Sometimes you may need more than a "three-second" cushion. Give yourself a "four-second or more" cushion when:

• Crowded by a tailgater. Allow extra room between your car and the car ahead. Then, if you need to slow down you can do so gradually. You will be able to avoid braking suddenly - and being hit from behind by the tailgater!

• Driving on slippery roads. It the car ahead should slow or stop, you will need more distance to stop your car.

• Following motorcycles. If the motorcycle falls, you’ll have to avoid hitting the rider. Motorcycles fall more often on wet or icy roads, on metal surfaces (i.e., bridge gratings, railroad tracks, etc.) and on gravel.

• The driver behind you wants to pass. Slow down to allow room in front of your car so the driver will have space to move into.

If you follow too closely and another driver "cuts" in front of you, the normal reaction is to slam on your brakes and swerve out of the way. Swerving out of the way most often results in cutting someone else off or possibly driving off the roadway. It might also result in the car behind you crashing into you or other cars around you. If a driver does "cut" in front of you, decelerate smoothly by taking your foot off the gas. This will give you space between your car and the other driver without swerving into another lane.

Check your tire tread by placing a penny with Lincoln’s head facing down in the tread at its most worn part. If you can see the top of his head, consider replacing the tire.

Brake gently through puddles. Gently riding your brakes through a deep puddle will create friction and heat, which prevents the water from damaging the braking system. Also, once you’re through the puddle, tap your brakes lightly a few times to dry off additional moisture and make sure they still function properly.