29/04/2016
Important Tips for Driving in the Rain
Driving in the rain can be challenging at times, but most importantly, it can potentially lead to dangerous accidents if you are not careful. That’s why we wanted to share some simple and useful tips to help you get to your destination safely.
1. Stay near the middle lanes:
Water tends to collect on the side of the road, and it’s important to avoid puddles and large pools of water since they can cause a loss of steering or braking control when they prevent direct contact between tires and the road. This is called hydroplaning or aquaplaning.
2. Let the car in front work for you:
The car in front of you is displacing and pushing water away and creating a better driving surface for you. Try to use it by keeping your steering and tires aligned with the car in front of you while maintaining a safe distance.
3. Turn on your headlights:
Supposedly this is to help you improve your vision, but really it’s so other drivers out there will see you. Just like more accidents occur at night, it’s all about compromised visibility. There are more chances for cars to meet each other when vision becomes diluted.
4. Listen to the rain like a mindful ninja:
No matter how hard it rains here, 99% of accidents are due to driver ignorance. Listening to the rain hitting your car helps develop a better sense of the weather, so you can drive accordingly. It’s OK to listen to traffic and weather reports or play some music to brighten up a rainy day, but make sure it’s not too loud.
5. Avoid driving near busses and trucks:
Big vehicles make big splashes that can hit your windshield and momentarily block your sight, so try not to drive close to them.
6. Test and dry your brakes:
Wet brake pads have less power. If you drove over a deep puddle, keep testing your brakes by stepping on and off them to help dry the pads.
7. Don’t slam on the brakes:
If your car is hydroplaning or slipping, don’t step on the brakes abruptly to stop your slipping vehicle. This can potentially make your car spin even more. Grip your steering wheel firmly and slow down little by little until your car is under control again.
All of these tips are common sense things, but that doesn’t mean everyone is following them. Remembering these simple guidelines will help you be safer on wet roads.
