Be prepared for rain
Some handy tips go a long way in getting you home safe and above all, hassle free. You will reach your destination safe and sound by taking these simple measures
Monsoon can throw up nasty surprises if one is not prepared for it. Driving on wet and slippery roads can be a tricky affair. Adding to that, our waterlogged and potholed roads raise serious concerns about safety for road users.
Apart from that, driving at night in the rain can be quite challenging. The windshield and the windows fog up, reducing visibility considerably. Headlights of oncoming traffic tend to refract through the wet windshield glass, putting considerable strain on eyesight. And our badly-lit roads pose even graver challenges to road safety. When driving in the rain it’s essential to reduce the speed and increase the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead in order to improve the reaction time and increase the braking distance. Here are some tips about how to drive safely this monsoon.
It’s important to hold the steering with both hands while driving on wet roads. So, avoid distractions like talking on the cell phone. Use the rearview mirror and ORVMs to keep an eye on the traffic around you.
It’s essential to turn on the headlights, even during the day, in heavy downpour as visibility is considerably reduced. It also helps oncoming traffic to spot your car. At night, drive on low beam since high beam is reflected back by the rain drops. In case you get stuck or are not confident enough to continue driving, switch on the hazard lights and park on the side of the road. Even better if you find a parking lot.
Since roads become slippery, increasing braking distances, it’s advisable to keep a gap of minimum five car lengths between you and the vehicle in front. In case the driver in front brakes suddenly, you have sufficient distance to bring your car to a halt.
The safest option in a downpour is to drive well within the speed limit. Adopt a conservative driving approach and avoid sudden acceleration and braking. During monsoon, it’s advisable to start early for your destination so that you are not in a rush.
Try to avoid puddles. One can’t be sure how deep it might be, apart from the chance of aquaplaning. More importantly the puddle might be hiding a deep pothole. If you drive over it at high speed there is a possibility that you might end up damaging you wheel or even major suspension components. If you have to drive through a standing pool of water, do not create a splash because water might get into the engine through the air intake, causing serious damage to the motor.
If the windows fog up from inside, the best thing to do is to switch the AC on. It will demist the glass, improving visibility. If the windows fog up from outside, roll them down a little to let the air flow neutralise the temperature difference. Nowadays, most modern cars come with the demist/ defog mode as part of the standard HVAC system.