As the thick fog is surrounding us and the temperature is falling below 0 degrees, it becomes important that we talk about safety while traveling in heavy rain. If you have ever had the experience of driving in a rain, then you would know how scary that is.
Whether it’s an urgent drive or unexpected weather, driving in the rain is quite dangerous. We all have read about the scary skidding accident and we know that it gets harder to control it. In short, driving in rain can be a harrowing experience.
And even though we all are living in the new normal pandemic not everyone has the privilege of working from home. So, it’s imperative that we talk about the tips and advice on how to drive safely in heavy rain.
Today, we will discuss how you can and should navigate in such weather conditions.
Table of Contents
1. Inspection
Source: driving.co.uk
Even though this takes place before you go off in the rainy terrain, it is very important to get your car thoroughly checked and inspected by professionals. It becomes even more significant if you are already aware of any repair work. Visit Acton Service Centre for more information regarding car service and MOT. Apart from that, there are mainly 3-4 components that need to be inspected. It includes things like tyres, lights, wipers, and air condition.
The reason you have to get these particular things checked is that they play an important role in keeping you safe while driving through a heavy rain. You will understand to learn their importance as we go along.
2. Turn On the Headlights
Everyone must be aware of the fact that visibility lowers during the rain. This becomes even more evident when you are driving. It is quite difficult to figure out a moving vehicle. Thus, it becomes, quite frankly, critical to turn on your headlights. Most of the time, rain creates a fog and if you’re driving during winter rain, then the mist and smog will be all over you.
One of the best things about modern cars is that we are the headlights and the lights, in general, are very powerful. Most of the cars today are equipped with LED headlights which provides a solid lumination. By turning your headlights on, you will be able to increase your visibility along with making yourself visible to others. So, it works both ways.
3. Drive Slow
This is quite obvious, ain’t it? Throughout the history of movies, we have seen several adrenal pumping chase scenes in the middle of heavy rainfall. Well, this doesn’t happen in real life nor you should even think about that. When you’re driving in this harsh climate, it is important to drive below the speed limit.
There is this phenomenon called hydroplaning, which takes place in the rain. In this the standing water makes the car wheels lose contact with the road surface. So, to avoid this phenomenon that can lead to serious accidents, you should drive slowly.
4. Keep a Gap & Stay in the Middle
Source: unsplash.com
As mentioned above, it gets quite difficult to stop a car during rain. So, don’t even think about tailgating or following any car. The major takeaway is that your car skids and slides through the surface of the road. So, always keep a gap of 2 seconds. This will automatically keep the distance between the vehicle.
Apart from that try to stay in the middle of the road. Why is that? It’s because roads are always designed with slanted drains at the sides. So, try to avoid driving on the edges of the road and stay in the middle instead.
5. Avoid the Puddles
As mentioned above, still water can cause your car to lose contact with the road. Apart from hydroplaning, water can also get inside the silencer or the muffler of the car. This can break down the car and you will have bigger issues to deal with. So, stay off the puddles.
6. Avoid the Brakes
Yeah! Try and keep your feet off the brakes because the pressure in the rain is much harder. What does a driver need the most while driving in the rain? Traction. It is very dangerous to apply brakes and suddenly stop the movement of the car during this time of the year.
The reaction time of the vehicle becomes much slower and this can cause your car to slide off the road. But this doesn’t mean you should not use brakes. Just try to apply them gently and not jam on them.
7. Turn the Hazards Lights Off
Source: yourmechanic.com
Visibility is the biggest issue when we drive in the rain. So, to avoid that many people think that by switching on their hazard lights, they would be more visible to the others. But the reality is totally opposite to this. People generally assume that the vehicle is in stationary mode. This can create serious problems.
8. Keep your Shoes Dry
Why? Because you have to handle clutch, brake, an accelerator with the feet and you wouldn’t want to entrust all these tasks with wet shoes. The moisture feet can create some unintentional errors. So, try to invest in some good-quality mats. You don’t even know how helpful these mats are.
9. Keep the Wipers On
These are the single most important thing to fight against the stormy, rainy drive. Get them inspected and checked before driving in this condition. Have them properly cleaned as they can easily get clogged up with dirt, dust and leaves in the rainy season.
10. Turn On the Air Condition
Source: emesa-m30.es
In the monsoon season, there is extreme humidity and fog. So, to avoid this fogging up of the screens, keep your AC turned on. This helps in clearing up the humidity and fog that can lower your visibility. You don’t want that. It can be very helpful in such rainy conditions.
So, here this discussion of driving in heavy rain ends. Try to follow all of the above tips if you are planning to drive in the rain. Till then, drive safely and follow this space for more of such informative content.
