Discover the Unseen Risks: Expert Tips for Wet Weather Driving

Are You Prepared? Essential Safety Hacks for Rainy Day Travel

Once again, we find ourselves in that particular time of year when nature decides to unleash its torrential downpours upon us all. Yes indeed, it's monsoon season! While this rainfall may bring a slight drop in temperatures, it also carries with it a number of disadvantages - especially for those behind the wheel. The combination of wet roads and moving vehicles is far from ideal and should be avoided if at all possible. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of working remotely during these trying times and must leave their homes for various reasons. For those who must venture out on the road during this season, being aware of some important tips can undoubtedly enhance your driving experience while ensuring your safety remains paramount.

Below are a few valuable suggestions that can help ensure your safety, as well as the safety of other drivers and pedestrians, while driving in rainy conditions.

Tyres maintenance: The most crucial component of your vehicle, if you choose to drive in the rain. Your life as well as the lives of other drivers on the road will be in risk if your tires are worn out. Even if you may be traveling at a slower speed than usual, the first thing to do is to make sure your tires have adequate tread to provide a secure hold on the road.  Your vehicle deserves a companion that has superior grip while offering a  longer lifespan and durability to know more visit ceat.com.

Enhance visibility: We often underestimate the speed at which our ability to see the road can be obstructed during rainy conditions. Hence, it is essential to consistently maintain cleanliness of both the front and rear windshields. The wipers play a crucial role in ensuring clarity and safety, while the air conditioning system aids in preventing window fogging by circulating fresh air. The quality of your vision directly impacts your driving proficiency.

Drive at a slow speed at all times. Reduce your speed: Excessive speed contributes greatly to car accidents in India, and this danger is amplified during rainy conditions. To mitigate the risk, it is advisable to drive at a slower pace. Hydroplaning occurs when a thin layer of water builds up between the tires and the road, resulting in skidding and loss of control for the driver. This phenomenon arises from driving too fast without allowing sufficient time for the tires to grip the road surface. By driving at a reduced speed, the likelihood of hydroplaning decreases significantly, making it easier to regain control even if skidding occurs.

Make an effort to remain in the center:

Roads are constructed with drains on the sides in order to quickly remove excess rain or water. However, on Indian roads, these drains are often blocked and not functioning as intended. Consequently, instead of collecting in the middle, large amounts of water tend to accumulate on the sides of the roads. To ensure safer driving during monsoon season, it is advisable to drive closer to the center of the road. Driving on the sides not only poses a risk of encountering deep potholes and flooding the engine but also increases the likelihood of other vehicles splashing water onto your car and windshield, severely impairing visibility.

Maintain a safe distance: Placing a glass on a wet surface will cause it to move spontaneously, while giving it a slight push will make it slide effortlessly. Conversely, conducting the same experiment on a dry surface will yield entirely different results. Similarly, when driving on a dry road, maintaining the 2-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead is crucial. This gap signifies that it should take you 2 seconds to reach the position where the preceding car was driving. Adhering to the wet surface theory necessitates increasing this time and consequently widening the distance between both vehicles. This additional distance aids in safely braking and coming to a stop.

Make sure you can be seen: Poor visibility is a major factor contributing to accidents during rainy weather conditions. Especially for truck drivers operating large vehicles, spotting smaller vehicles nearby becomes extremely challenging even within close proximity. The heavy downpour transforms the surroundings into a monotonous gray palette where similarly colored vehicles blend in and remain unseen until it is too late. Hence, it becomes paramount to ensure all necessary lights are turned on while driving - including headlights, front fog lights, rear fog lights (if equipped), DRLs, and taillights. Maintaining visibility allows other drivers to anticipate your lane changes, turns or stops effectively. However, caution must be exercised not to use high-beam lights as they have the potential to blind drivers ahead and endanger their safety.

Drive Slow Around Bends/Curves: It is crucial to exercise caution while maneuvering bends and curves during the monsoon, unless you happen to be an actor in Tokyo Drift. The center of gravity in every vehicle is put under scrutiny on slippery roads when encountering turns. Driving at excessive speeds on wet curves significantly heightens the chances of your vehicle skidding and spiraling out of control. Furthermore, there are specific blind spots that necessitate awareness when entering a bend, thus making it considerably safer to drive with reduced velocity. This additional time permits comprehensive assessment of one's surroundings and proceeding with utmost care to ensure both the safety of your own vehicle as well as any approaching traffic.