A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors.