10 Tips for driving safely in the rain

Driving under rain and wet road conditions is possibly the most terrifying moment for most drivers because there are more risks and hazards. It is undeniable that rain unexpectedly happens at any time of the day and also, you will not wait for the road to dry before you drive through this you will need to know how to drive safely in the rain and wet road conditions.

However, this doesn’t have to be stressful and agitating because we bring you the most important rainy driving tips to make it easier to tackle rainy/wet Ugandan roads like an expert.

Avoid driving if you don’t have to

Rains come with some effects that include flooding as well as falling electric poles, and therefore the best thing you can do is to avoid driving if you really don’t have to. Drivers are advised to stay out of heavy and hazardous rain before the worst scenarios happen. Only make necessary and emergency trips.

Always stay alert

Being alert, focused, and attentive is important when driving in rain to avoid being taken by surprise. Extra precaution has to be met when driving through merging lanes and motorists are also advised to drive defensively while paying attention to the blind spots.

Slow Down

Another important Rainy driving tip is slowing down. One thing you need to remember is that driving in rain means longer/more travel time because traffic will obviously move slower hence you will also need to always slow down. Hydroplaning (a sheet of water coming between your car tyres and the pavement) normally happens when you driveway faster than expected. Therefore, it is advisable to slow down and take extra care when rains begin. It is also common for rain to bring out oils on the roadway and this makes conditions slicker hence you will need to slow down.

Turn off Cruise Control

Driving in wet road conditions is challenging because oil and Grease from cars make the roads slicker and slippery. The best thing to do is to reduce speed (to at least below the recommended speed limit) to reduce any chances of hydroplaning, or better still opt for defensive driving. Maintain reasonable car lengths between you and the car in front of you. Therefore, Cruise Control has to be turned off while driving in rain and if you start hydroplaning when cruise control is on, you will be going way faster than recommended.

Avoid hard and abrupt braking

Another must-follow rainy driving tip is to brake cautiously to avoid slamming brakes as if the roads are dry hence reduce chances of colliding during rainstorms. Firstly, wet and slippery road conditions make the car slide forward, most times into the back of another car. It is therefore recommended to brake gently and cautiously to alert the other driver behind you by slowing down.

Avoid driving at night

It is hazardous to drive at night in the rain, given the frown of oncoming traffic increased by the rain on your windshield.  To reduce the frown, it is advisable to dim the dashboard lights, not looking directly at the oncoming headlights, and constantly cleaning both the inside and outside of the windshield. The ventilation system has to be put to good use to ensure that fog doesn’t coat the inside of the windows.

Turn on the defroster

Make sure that the rear and front defrosters of your vehicle are turned on to avoid windshield fogging and affecting your visibility.

Avoid big trucks and buses

Surprisingly, the splash made by big tyres can reduce visibility and sometimes cause collision hence it is recommended to try as much as possible to stay away from them.

Avoid areas that are prone to flooding

There are areas in Uganda prone to or known for always flooding during or after even little rains. Therefore always find the less risky routes in case of heavy rains.

Turn lights on

Just like your windshield wipers are always on during rains, lights also have to be turned on regardless of the time of the day it is raining. This not only increases visibility but also makes it possible and easier for other vehicles to see you, hence reducing any chances of colliding when it is difficult to see through the heavy rains.