Heavy rain can mean many things to a driver, and most of them are not very pleasant, from road flooding and vehicle breakdowns to accidents. Heavy rain reduces visibility and also causes the tires to lose traction, increasing the risk of skidding. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage, even mitigate, such risks.
With a little preparation and little technical knowledge, driving in heavy rain this winter can be made much safer. The following tips should help you make the best decisions.
Preparation
Planning is crucial. Your knowledge of the main roads and alternative routes is also very important. You should plan ahead to create a contingency plan in case your usual route proves impassable.
Make sure your vehicle is in top condition, including a full tank (being stuck in traffic consumes more fuel), windshield wipers and lights are functional, and your mobile phone is fully charged. Of course, if the weather is really bad, posing a risk to your safety and the safety of others, then you should stay off the road if possible.
driving in heavy rain
Most people know that if you’re driving and it suddenly starts to rain, wipers are the obvious savior. However, if visibility is seriously reduced, then you should use your headlights. If you feel that the visibility of the road is still lacking, use the front fog lights and always remember to turn them off when you feel that visibility has improved significantly. Check your car’s headlights regularly and pay attention to anything else that may decrease visibility before you leave.
Rain affects stopping distances, so remember to keep a considerable distance between you and the car in front (at least 10 meters) to ensure you have enough space in front of you in case you need to brake.
Driving through standing water
Sometimes you can be so desperate to get to your destination that your judgment is clouded. You might be tempted to risk driving through what initially appears to be ankle deep in water, only to discover to your horror that the water is deeper than you thought, drowning your engine. The rule is never to drive through floodwaters, especially if they move quickly. If the roads look completely knee-deep inundated, leave the car at home.
Prevent your vehicle from skidding when it’s raining
Feeling like you have completely lost control of your vehicle is an experience that we all dread. The feeling that your tires are sliding across the surface of the water is, of course, aquaplaning. This is caused by loss of traction and usually occurs during heavy rain. You can prevent your vehicle from skidding by maintaining your tires regularly by slowing down in wet weather conditions and even driving on the tracks of the vehicle in front.
In the event your vehicle skids, shift into neutral and steer in the direction you want to go, do not brake or speed up.
mechanical failures in the rain
If it does get into an accident in bad weather, just leave it in a safe place. Do not try to find the cause of the problem by opening the hood, as an excessive amount of water on the hood will make starting the engine much more difficult.
In short, trust your guts. If you feel it’s dangerous to go out, don’t. We care about your safety, so if you’re having trouble, we’re here for you!