When driving in the rain, it is always best to have complete control of your vehicle so that you can act accordingly when necessary. Finding yourself driving in rain, especially heavy rain, can be daunting- particularly if youre in a large vehicle like a motorhome. Accessed July 2021. Drive A Clean Car In Good Condition When visibility is limited by wet weather, it's important that your car itself doesn't impede your sight. When you are thinking about driving in wet weather, make sure to think about whether its necessary before getting in the car. Where in dry weather, engine oil and grease hold up the vehicle on the road for a steady ride, the inclusion of water with oil and grease make for a slick drive. Aside from visibility, there are several other factors that can affect your driving in the rain: Hydroplaning causes your tires to lose traction with the road, floating on a thin layer of water instead. Delayed reaction times occur due to slickness, and hydroplaning is a serious threat. Since visibility is low during heavy rain, it is even more crucial that you keep a sharp eye out for pedestrians. If not, try to avoid areas that are prone to flooding. So, if a child darts out between cars in a residential zone, or a car or pedestrian cuts across your path, a vehicle travelling at 48 km/h will require 37 metres to stop in the wet about the length of three school buses; that includes the drivers split-second reaction time, plus the needed distance to halt the vehicle. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. I quit my job to travel the UK & Europe in a motorhome with my husband and our dog Mac. Strong wind can occur just about anywhere, but it can be more common in wide open spaces. Tailgating cars and riding bumpers is always dangerous, but its particularly bad during a storm. What causes a car breakdown in wet weather? The use of high beams is not preferable as extra light bounces off the rain droplets causing a glare, a distraction. Question 1: When driving in a fog, you should: A. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of the Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. Several U.S. states carry laws that say if your wipers are on, your headlights must be, too. Search my posts about motorhoming, wild parking, taking a van to Europe, tips for new owners and much more. As for your fog lights, use them sparingly. In addition to the potentially poor visibility that accompanies most heavy rain, drivers should be ready to protect themselves against hydroplaning. Tires generally lose a pound of pressure a month so check them regularly to avoid a blowout, and dont overinflate. By taking the above precautions, the next time youre stuck in a rainy situation, you can remain in control of your vehicle in the worst of situations. Keep in mind that sometimes the best decision you can make is to avoid driving altogether and to stay off the road completely until the weather clears. You could save up to 15%! Some of the tips for driving in the rain that can help us avoid trouble are given below: Aquaplaning or hydroplaning is a procedure that occurs when a thin layer of inches of water forms between the wheels of the car and road surface. Unfortunately, if you ever get in this situation, you need to be patient and let the pressure go off the gas pedal. Drivers also need to slow their speed to avoid any inconvenience. On roads where heavy truck traffic has left sags in the pavement, keep the left tires closer to the roads crown, where the chances of standing water are less. Plus, you have no idea how deep the water really is. Not only is this important for your safety, but it is actually the law in several states. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, The importance of healthy vision for road safety, Hydroplaning: What it is & what causes it, Windshield wiper and headlight laws state-by-state. In heavy rain, follow the tracks of the vehicle in front, which will have pushed some of the water away. 2. We encountered an issue signing you up. You dont want to risk driving through it and striking a deep pothole or splashing water up into the cars electrical system. Its one thing if you know you need to go out, whether it be to pick someone up or get home as quickly as possible. Add 1-2 extra seconds of following time in the rain, which gives you, and the cars behind you, more time to react to traffic. Check for a defroster because you might be needing it to clean the fogged-up windshield. This has the potential to make steering and braking difficult and can lead to losing control of your vehicle. Doing a thorough check of your tires will help you identify any crack and issues present. Check the tire pressure regularly and keep your tires inflated. A few were on their sides the other week, lorries too, when I collected ours from the dealer, not a nice first experience driving a motorhome I must say. One of the reasons to decelerate is that it will provide you satisfactorily enough time to anticipate the situation and make a smart informed decision. Adjust your speed to the weather. This goes for driving in rainy conditions both at night and during the day. Ensure you have proper gear packed for every season and for the potential climate conditions you may be driving in. Hydroplaning. Report to the police b. Though losing control of your vehicle can be frightening, it is far more common than you think. Whether you are driving in torrential rain or on roads that are still just a little damp from a shower that passed through hours ago, hydroplaning is a very real possibility and something that drivers should try to avoid at all costs. Be mindful of your surroundings, as rain can cause you to experience the following effects: Central vision can become blocked in major conditions. . Having balding tires will strikingly reduce the vehicle traction especially on wet surfaces. Drive slowly to accommodate for reduced reaction times. driving in the rain or bad weather in . When you see less of the road ahead, you must slow down. They are more susceptible to high winds and drivers may have difficulties staying in their lanes. Familiarize yourself with what conditions you may encounter by: Checking out the weather forecast, not just where you currently are, but where you will be driving through. Heavy rain can create some of the toughest conditions to drive a semi-truck in. No matter whether youre renting a vehicle or taking your own, I hope these driving tips have helped you feel more confident to drive in rainy conditions. As part of your trip planning, take a few minutes to check the weather along your route. Sometimes a safe speed is far below the posted speed limit. Just like how you would avoid driving in heavy snow, you should proceed with the same amount of caution with heavy rain. Do I need a Letter of Experience while driving in Ontario? With the current reality of more employees working from home through the pandemic, is your business ready for all the implications? Do you know how much distance you must-have? You dont want to be in a rush youll probably need to drive slower and traffic will also likely be moving slower. I asked Richard Jackson, from WorldWeatherOnline to give us his top tips for driving safely in rain. To contribute to the conversation, you need to be logged in. Always keep a safe minimum distance between your and other vehicles around. Summary At night and in weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog, you cannot see as far ahead, even with headlights. Always watch for brake lights ahead. So its better to be cautious. With that in mind, here are our tips on how to drive safely in the rain. Dont rely on a clever vehicle system to tell you when a bulb is out- go check them manually before your next road trip.). According to the stats of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wet pavement results in 70% of weather related accidents. Here are some tips for safe driving in a rainstorm. Here are some extra tips to help you stay safe if you are driving in heavy rain during the night: Thinking of renting a motorhome or car for your next road trip? Slow and steady is a good way to help keep control of your vehicle. Getting stuck driving in heavy rains can be a scary experience. The key thing is how much space you leave between you and the vehicle in front. If you will be motorhoming in winter (and not somewhere sunny like these 7 warmest places in mainland Spain!) As tempting as it is to charge through that puddle at high speed, its usually a bad idea. Tips on driving in heavy rain to stay safe and avoid a collision the next time youre caught on the road. You could save up to 15%! As we say, the best driver is one who acts vigilantly, so it would be better if you keep your focus on the gas and brake instead of activating cruise control. Peripheral vision may be affected when your focus shifts to the road ahead. Heavy rain can make it difficult to see the road ahead, . The tread depth helps you maintain grip on the road. They can create spray which can reduce your visibility. Remember, too, that roads get covered in lubricants when dry, and in rain these oils come to the surface of the water on the road, making them especially greasy. Just by looking at the puddle, its hard to tell how deep it really is. Derek was the managing editor of Postmedia's Driving from 2008 to 2015. Lombard, IL 60148, on 5 Reasons Why We Should Switch to Electric Cars, on Crucial Things to Remember Before You Start Driving in The Rain, on Obtaining your Drivers License in Illinois if you are 18-20 years, Driving Courses for Individuals with ADHD, 5 Reasons Why We Should Switch to Electric Cars, Crucial Things to Remember Before You Start Driving in The Rain, Obtaining your Drivers License in Illinois if you are 18-20 years. Schneider Guy loves the "Big Orange." Ventilation is important for visibility on all fronts. . You have to use your turn signals properly, mind your speed, and maintain a safe following distance. Driving in any type of severe weather can significantly increase the potential for a dangerous situation for you and other drivers. be sure that your vehicle comes with appropriate winter tyres. If rain gets too heavy for you to see, pull over in a safe place if possible. Using windshield wipers during inclement weather may seem like a no-brainer, but it is still worth mentioning. Leave your cruise control off so you keep a feel of the road and prevent your truck from hydroplaning. up and slow down slower than you normally would to prevent traction loss. Gradually, start steering in the direction you want to drive at a slow speed. Because the icy conditions can make your car slide and ultimately result in you losing control of your vehicle. When driving during major inclement weather such as snow, ice, heavy rain, etc., you should increase your safe following distance to a minimum of 5 seconds (during extreme icing events, as much as 10 seconds is recommended). Plan ahead and check the weather to see if heavy rainfalls are possible. Stay well back, or overtake, big trucks and buses so as not to get . The volume shouldnt be so loud that you cant hear whats going on around you, like any approaching emergency vehicles. Rainy days bring 100 per cent humidity, all of which flows into your interior, easily fogging the inside glass. Good info. Personal injury protectioncovers medical expenses and, if applicable, lost wages, regardless of who is at fault for an auto accident. He's passionate about the trucking industry and connecting people to rewarding careers within it. It is especially done in Canada. Roads are wet and slippery, so you must be extra alert at all times. Rain from the day before may have frozen overnight. If you brake too hard, no matter if the pedal has touched the floor, your car will skid anyway and you will lose control. Reduced speed will also help you in this situation. Heavy rain or misting, keep the vehicles headlights on. In dry weather, engine oil and grease will build up on the road, and when this combines with water, it makes for a slick drive. Driving in zero-visibility weather will not only put you at risk but also other road users. You should always drive around the roads where you dont see the water collected in a pitch. (DESCRIPTION)An animation of a person who drives a car down a road in rainy conditions. There is no reason to put yourself in danger if driving in wet conditions is not necessary. Water on the road makes it harder to stop safely. Give other vehicles more space. Heavy rainfall creates slick driving conditions with next to no visibility and this type of situation requires that a driver adjust their typical driving style. READ MORE: How to drive safely after you turn 60. Here are some additional tips to consider when driving in the rain: Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times for maximum control. a. You can avoid this by sticking to the middle lanes. If it isnt necessary to go out, try to wait out the worst of the storm before getting back on the road. See if the headlights, rear lights, and windshield wipers are damaged and need a replacement. Overdriving your headlights Sign up to receive Driving.ca's Blind-Spot Monitor newsletter on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Follow other vehicles closely B. Driving Test Canada is a newly introduced online Canadian platform that is dedicated to provide the required driving knowledge to all the new drivers by using our expertise of several years. For Commercial Business inquiries, it is best to speak directly with a Broker. Answer (1 of 6): Slow down! It causes unnecessary tire slipping and hydroplaning. Take your time, be patient, and pull over if you need to. Some cars automatically touch the pads to the rotors to scrub water, and add heat to the rotor to remove water, but you can do this too by gently touching the brakes after splashing through a wet spot. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wet roads cause . If conditions are unsafe, you can decide to stay off the road. Between 2007 and 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration reported an average of 4,050 fatalities during wet-pavement-related crashes and 2,473 fatalities due to rain-related crashes. Motorhome fire! It allows other motorists to spot you better. Many states require the use of headlights during rain. See and be seen is a rainy-day rule all drivers should heed. Follow these tips to tackle rainy roads like an expert and know when it's smart to avoid driving, turn around, or pull over to wait for the rain to pass. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Minimum 4-5 seconds. Page published on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. Reaction times are much slower in wet conditions, both for drivers and the controls of the car. That way, any tears, kinks or nicks developed on the rubber over winter wont affect the sweep on the glass in the rainy season. Check for brakes and suspensions. If youre new to our website (welcome! Night vision and driving: How safe are older drivers? Good tires, with lots of tread, goes without saying, but proper inflation matters in the moist, too. So the car moves on the water instead of the road surface and causes the driver to lose control. Get the History! This is a dangerous situation and its better to pull off rather than blindly drive. Standing water can disguise road hazards such as potholes. Also be sure to discuss with the rental place the condition of wiper blades, headlights and other attributes that may aid you in navigating safely through heavy downpours. Improve your driving at night: With tips on glasses and lenses. However, make sure to ask yourself if you think you can handle driving in the conditions. Apparently, we automatically adjust our expectations and driving style in snow, fog or ice, but not so much in rain. When thinking about how to drive safely in the rain, make sure not to forget about your headlights. Privacy policy | Associate privacy disclosure | Do not sell or share my personal information (CA only) | Notice at collection (CA only) | Limit the use of my sensitive personal information (CA only) | Accessibility, Truck driving in the rain: 14 safety tips you should know, Familiarize yourself with what conditions you may. And regarding rain, it causes about 40% of car accidents. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. A pre-trip inspection should be completed no matter the weather conditions, but an equipment problem could be even worse in heavy rain. We always ensure that our customers are happy with their personalized insurance policy, so feel free to contact us today before getting behind the wheel. This feature can reduce your attention towards the road. Give yourself as much time to react as you can (safely, don't get hit from behind!). So at the edges there will be more puddles. Driving in the rain can be a danger to the driver, passengers and the car itself because of the lack of visibility. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. (SPEECH)Notice larger vehicles that may have difficulty staying in their lanes. If youre going motorhome skiing, here are 10 essential things you need to know! Although you should be more focused on whats in front of you during a downpour, your side vision is still important and when it gets put on the backburner, you can miss important details on the road. RELATED: France new winter tyre law- does your vehicle comply? (SPEECH)When you're on the road, the stakes can be even higher. And if confronted with deep water that looks shallow enough to cross, do not attempt, because if water seeps through the door seals into your interior, it will become a greenhouse for mould and potentially stink forever after. Not only should you be more cautious of your surroundings, but also of your driving speed.
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