Driving safely during the rainy season: tips and guidelines
Some of us consider ourselves experts in driving on the road, knowing all the techniques and skills necessary to navigate through any kind of obstacle.
However, when the rainy season arrives, you actually need to elevate your driving skills due to increasingly challenging situations such as limited visibility and slippery road conditions.
But you don’t need to have driving skills like Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen during the rainy season. Here are some safe driving tips you can practice during this unpredictable rainy season:
Maintain a safe distance
In driving school, we are taught to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and this becomes even more crucial, especially during heavy rain. Coupled with the factor of slippery roads, and limited visibility due to water spray from the front vehicle, you may not have enough time and space to stop the car safely. Therefore, it’s best to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Drive slow
The driving techniques on dry roads are not the same as those required to handle a vehicle on wet roads. If unsure, just drive at a speed that is easy to control and maintain a necessary grip to move forward smoothly.
Avoid using hazard lights, except when stopped
As the name suggests, hazard lights should only be used in unexpected situations. For example, if there’s sudden traffic stoppage ahead, turn on your hazard lights to alert the users behind you. Or when you stop in an emergency lane. Please get used to doing the right thing and correct your ‘habits’ during this rainy season. Thank you.
Turn on your car lights
Another habit you should adopt is to turn on your main car lights while driving in heavy rain. This is because during heavy rain, it will obscure the presence of cars that have a similar color, and increase the risk of collisions. If honked by other users, consider it as a reminder to practice safer driving.
Avoid water puddles as much as possible
Some of us enjoy splashing into water puddles just to see the spray of water. But did you know that the resulting splash can ‘blind’ your vision for a few moments and the situation can become worse if you don’t have enough space to avoid the front car, which may stop suddenly. Furthermore, water puddles also indicate the presence of potholes that can tear your pocket mid-month. Flat tires can be repaired, but if the tire is torn?
When was the last time you changed your wipers?
Wipers are a crucial component that is very useful during the rainy season. In this regard, try to find quality and effective wiper products to ensure that the front mirror remains free from any dirt during the rainy season. Also, make sure the wiper rubber is in good condition to avoid the noisy sound that could potentially ruin your mood during the journey.
Get real-time traffic information
Some like to listen to traffic info from local radio, but some users prefer to install mapping navigation apps on their smartphones. Whichever method is used, it’s a great way to be aware of current conditions such as traffic jams, flash floods, or recent accidents.
Take a brief rest stop
Just like driving at night, driving during the rainy season is also more exhausting and can reduce your energy and focus faster. This is especially true when the rain becomes heavier, and visibility is further limited due to the presence of fog and dark weather. If you are driving on a highway, you can stop at rest areas to recharge and wait for the rain to subside.
Ensure the car is in good condition
In addition to the driver’s physical well-being, the condition of the car also needs to be ensured to withstand any seasonal changes. Make sure components such as brakes are in good condition and the tire tread depth still provides reassurance to the driver, rather than having a tire that looks like it needs replacing. Don’t forget to check the front and rear lights and replace any burnt bulbs with new ones.
