DRIVE SAFELY IN THE RAIN
Rain affects your vehicles stability. Rain acts as lubricant, making road surfaces slippery. Heavy downpour bring floods, cause heavy traffic and creates puddles on the road that requires proper controlling and maneuvering of motor vehicles. It makes windshields, headlights, mirrors and tail lights blurred and dirty.
What To Do While Driving in the Rain
- Turn on your headlights when visibility is very poor.It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other motorists see you. However, don’t blast your high beams in the rain or fog. It will obscure your view further, as the light will reflect back at you off the water droplets in the air. If your car is equipped with foglights, you may find it helpful to turn these on, as they throw a little extra light on the road while making your car easier to see.
- Do NOT turn on your 4-way flashers (Hazard Lights). You lose the function of your turn signals if your Hazard Lights are on. Only use the 4-way flashers (Hazard Lights) in case of an emergency. (Stalled engine, Accident ahead)
- Slow down at first sign of rain or drizzle on the roadway. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.
- Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you’re slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.
- After you cross a puddle/flooded area, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your rotors.
- Do NOT use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there’s the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals. Not a great idea when reaction time is so important.
- If you start to hydroplane, don’t brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down.)
Make sure that your wipers are in good condition and functioning properly. If the blades are brittle or damaged, replace them before you’re caught in a downpour. Some wipers are definitely better than others, so ask your retailer for recommendations.