What you need to know:
The start of the rainy season necessitates serious caution for all motorists. It’s crucial to bear in mind that inclement weather reduces visibility significantly, making it more difficult to see other vehicles, road signs, and even the road itself.
We frequently hear about the importance of practicing safe and defensive driving on a rainy day. All drivers should be aware that bringing a vehicle to a complete stop is somehow hard on wet roads compared to dry ones. This is due to the reduced friction between the tires and the road caused by water, which decreases overall traction.
What’s really interesting is that many people truly appreciate the difficulty of braking on wet roads and the extended stopping distance only after experiencing such a situation firsthand. As the rainy season intensifies, these tips will serve as a valuable resource to help you reach your destination safely.
Well serviced vehicle
A properly maintained vehicle is one in which all its components, including brakes, rear and headlights, braking system, and wiper blades, are in optimal mechanical condition. Brake lights ensure your vehicle’s visibility to other drivers behind you, while a well-maintained brake system enables timely stopping. Clear wiper blades ensure a clear windshield for a better view of the road.
To check the functionality of your brake lights, have someone press the brake pedal while you stand at the rear of the vehicle. This will help ensure your brake lights are working correctly, preventing circumstances where your vehicle might be mistaken for a motorcycle at night. The same procedure applies when inspecting the functionality of your headlights and fog lights.
Tires
Another crucial factor to consider is the condition of your tires, particularly the presence of adequate treads. Tire treads play a pivotal role in preserving traction between your vehicle and the road surface, reducing the risk of skidding during sudden braking.
Have a working AC
Sometimes, rainy conditions can lead to the formation of interior dew on the windshield, especially when all windows are closed. This occurs when the windshield is cold. In such instances, it’s essential to have your air conditioning system examined and fixed accordingly. This ensures that it can produce a moderate amount of warm air when needed to clear the mist on your windscreen. Using the AC to clear you windscreen while driving is quick and safer than manually clearing the mist with a face towel or handkerchief.
Avoid overtaking
Undoubtedly, when rain falls, it’s a fact that all roads, whether paved or gravel, become considerably more slippery. This not only affects the effectiveness of your braking system, requiring more time to stop within a shorter distance but also needs to reduce the driving speed and a cautious approach to overtaking.
The case of heavy rains
Sometimes rains come with hailstorms and dense fog the thing that can affect the visibility of the road ahead. In such circumstances, it is advisable that if the rain is pelting your windshield and the wipers are unable to effectively clear the water, it’s safer to pull over to the side of the road and then turn on your headlights and hazard lights (double indicators). This will help ensure your visibility to other road users, allowing you to wait in a secure position until the rain subsides.
Be tolerant of other road users
Driving in the rain hinders your capacity to make swift decisions. This is primarily due to the fact that all road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and their passengers—who are especially susceptible to accidents are in a rush. Consequently, rainfall often correlates with heightened traffic congestion.
Exercise tolerance and patience with fellow road users, recognizing that they may be responding to obstacles you are not seeing. It could be a pedestrian or an animal crossing the road, or they might be finding a way to navigate around a vehicle that has broken down. Refrain from unnecessary honking, as it only serves to induce panic in others.