Driving safely during rainy season
For drivers that are not comfortable driving in the rain, sometimes the best decision is to stay home or in a shelter until when the rains reduce or stop completely. If it starts when you are already on the road, park by the roadside and turn on the hazard lights to maintain visibility from oncoming traffic. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.
It might be fun to drive when it is raining. However, rain can sometimes make roads uncomfortable and every time you choose to do, you ought to observe these safety tips.
Put on head or fog lights
For proper visibility, Diana Musozi, a driver advises that you should always switch on fog or headlights when it is raining.
During heavy rains, she says ,roads tend to develop cloudy or foggy formations. These will present visibility challenges thus it becomes difficult to see things that are within a short distance.
Functional air conditioner
When it is raining, the interior of the wind screen gets covered with fog which makes visibility difficult.
Until when it clears, you may not be able to have a clear view of the road ahead.
Therefore, according to Musozi, turn on the heat button of the air conditioner to help clear the windscreen. “If you don’t want to turn it on, then you must slightly open the windows so that the windscreen can clear,” Musozi says.
Have tyres with treads and a spare tyre
When it rains, running water comes with sharp objects that tear or present other forms of dangers to the tyres.
Therefore, Stuart Oramire, a driver says: “When these metals penetrate the tyres, you can end up with a puncture which is difficult to repair during heavy rains.” Motorists, he advises, should use tread tyres to prevent punctures and skidding.
Replace your wipers
Wipers are an important aspect of a car, especially during rains. Therefore, Oramire advises that, just like the heat air conditioner, your wipers should be replaced if they are old to ensure proper visibility on the road.
