Be mindful while driving during the rainy season

In the case of floods, avoid driving too fast into puddles. You might not only end up in a pothole but it is inconsiderate to soak pedestrians. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

What you need to know:

  • Severe weather demands your undivided attention, so be sure to reduce any possible distractions to keep your attention fully on the road.
  • Keep in mind that sometimes the best driving decision you can make is to stay off the road completely until the weather clears.

We all hear about the importance of safe and defensive driving during the wet road conditions. All drivers are aware of the fact that it takes longer to bring a car to a full stop in rainy conditions than when the road is dry, as water significantly decreases the friction between the tyres and the road and the overall traction of the a car. However, I believe that people only fully appreciate how difficult it is to brake on the wet road and how much time and distance they need to stop their car abruptly only after they have to deal with this situation at least once.

Wipers
The deprived windscreen wipers is easily forgotten and taken for granted until you really need it. You will actually understand its importance when you drive a car with worn out ones or even none. If they are worn out and can’t keep up with the rain, it is really your own fault because you didn’t think about it beforehand. Since over 90 per cent of all driving decisions are based on what you can see, it makes sense to have great working wipers so you can see. Be proactive and change your wipers at least annually.

Slow down
We are currently experiencing enormous down pours and as drivers, it is very imperative we take caution. Things such as knowledge of the fact that in rainy conditions, it is more strenuous to see other cars, road signs and the road itself. It is critical to make sure you can see and be seen.
First and foremost slow down. This should be obvious but it also very important. People are so used to driving certain speeds on certain roads that sometimes they forget the need to slow down when inclement weather presents itself. Avoid hard braking; if possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.

Watch out for puddles
Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you whilst watching out for brake lights. It should go without saying that, if there is a massive puddle on the road in front of you, it is not a good idea to blindly drive through it. It is literally impossible to tell how deep a puddle is just by looking at it so go slow. It may look like it’s only a few centimetres deep, but could very well be much deeper than that.
If it is deeper than the bottom of your doors, turn around and find another route or wait for the water to recede. Deep water can cause serious damage to a modern car’s electrical system. Finally it’s only courteous and respectful to avoid splashing pedestrians. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when you encounter a sizeable pool of water on the road. Don’t follow large trucks or busses too closely. The spray created by their large tyres reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Turn on headlights
Turn your headlights on even in a light rain, or in gloomy or foggy conditions. They’ll definitely help other drivers see you. Newer cars have daytime running lights, which do the job just as well
Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. At night rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights, amplified by the rain on your windscreen, can cause temporary loss of visibility while substantially increasing driver fatigue. In rainy conditions pedestrians and livestock are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.
In fact if the rain is coming down so hard that your windscreen is being thrashed, and you can’t see a metre in front of you, there’s no away around it, you’re going to have to stop your car, and wait for the downpour to pass.

Wait
It is never a good idea to power through a torrential downpour, no matter the urgency of your next appointment. That meeting or errand can wait until after the rain stops you owe it to yourself and those around you to stay safe until it does.

Practice discipline
Driving in Heavy Winds
Wind may seem like a minor risk, but this weather condition deserves special consideration from drivers. Strong wind can occur just about anywhere, but it can be more common in wide open spaces. Areas for concern also include highway overpasses, tunnels and ‘road cuts’ through mountainous areas that can act as funnels for wind. The following tips can help keep you on the road and safe if you encounter heavy winds.
1. Anticipate gusts. Take special care when driving through areas prone to strong winds or when weather reports predict severe weather.

2. Notice larger vehicles. Be aware of large vehicles on the road such as tractor-trailers and recreational vehicles. They are more susceptible to high winds and drivers may have difficulties staying in their lanes.
3. Keep a firm grip on the wheel. Keep both hands on the wheel in case the wind begins to move your vehicle, especially if you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer.