Smart tips for wet weather driving
Distance is one of the golden rules.
While most residents are pleased with the current rainfall, it unfortunately also bring many dangers for road users.
Motorists seem to forget that many factors come into play after a prolonged time of no rain such as oil spills accumulating on road surfaces.
To stay safe, and it would be advised to pass this on to new young drivers, here are some safety tips:
• Always check your tyres before you hit the road. Keep your tyres properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tyres is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge, door-post and glove box door or fuel door.
• Check the tyres’ tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids and aquaplaning.
• Slow down. Preferably below the speed limit.
• Know how to recover from a skid. Skids can happen even to the most cautious drivers. If your car does skid, remember not to slam on the brakes. Do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Instead, apply firm, steady pressure to the brakes and steer the car in the direction of the skid.
• Keep your distance from the car ahead.
• Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
• Prepare for your journey. Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls – steering, clutch, brake and accelerator – and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators are working properly.
• If the rain becomes too heavy, stop!
• First rain make the road very slippery.
• Cloudy weather reduces visibility. Switch your headlights on.
• Dry your brakes after driving through standing water.
• Don’t drive while fatigued.
The Metro Police was contacted for more tips but by the time of going to press they had yet to respond.
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