Tips for safe driving in bad weather

The AA shares vital tips on how motorists should deal with rain in SA.

May 14, 2018

Elzaan Pienaar 2 minutes read

WE have all experienced the sudden unexpected downpour of rain.

The RECORD got some safety tips from The AA for road users during rainy weather. The following tips may be helpful for drivers who have to face a heavy rainstorm on the road.

General tips:

• Increase the three-second rule to five or six seconds to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.

• If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually.

• Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.

• If you find that an oncoming vehicle is overtaking from the opposite direction and will not be likely to do it safely, slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if necessary.

• Only move towards the shoulder if you are able to see clearly 150m ahead of you. Keep in mind that pedestrians may be walking on the shoulder to avoid the mud next to the surface of the road.

• Beware of oil patches. Don’t panic. Do not jam on your brakes, just steer through. In most cases, the patches will be small.

• Always change to a lower gear before you take a bend, especially a sharp bend. Your speed should be at its slowest as you enter the bend and both your hands should be on the steering wheel. This slow in/fast out technique gives you most control when driving around a bend.

• Turn on your headlights.

• Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.

• Use your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. Wait a short time after the rain begins before using your windshield wipers because the blades may smear.

• Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.