JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – The website Wikihow teaches that driving in the rain can be a scary thing, and in the night, and when it rains it is even worse because it is difficult to see through the window, and the other car’s lights seem to make it worse. Here are some tips to avoid an accident while it is raining:
* Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times
* Keep all distractions, such as cellphones or even the radio, off and away from you.
* While focusing in front of you, take a look in back view mirror as well as right and left to have a 360 degree view of what is happening around you for any mud slide or falling tree, electric pole with hanging electrical wires or incoming hazard etc.
* Turn on your headlights, which are required when it’s raining, even in broad daylight. This will make it easier for you to see what is in front of you; thus, preventing any accidents.
* Keep a minimum of a five car lengths from the car in front of you. You never know what other drivers are going to do or what could happen to you. If that feels too close or too far; a rule of thumb is one second of a following distance per 16 km/h, that holds true especially in bad weather.
* Respect the speed limit. Drive at or below the speed limit to the extent that you are comfortable with and can see far enough in front of you to appropriately make good driving decisions.
* Be aware that the maximum speed at which you can drive is directly related to your tires. Be sure to know what their condition is in. Radial tires have better traction than the old bias ply polyester tires, but even they lose their ability to grip wet pavement and channel water out as the tread wears out.
* Be aware of hydroplaning. This is where your vehicle travels on top of the water and has no or very little contact with the ground. Your traction is reduced significantly. To safely get out of a hydroplaning situation, let off the gas and steer straight or slightly in the direction you must go. Do not make sudden motions and remain calm.
* Avoid flooded roads. Never drive through standing or flowing water in a roadway, unless you have no choice or you are able to follow someone else to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine of your car can cause the engine to stall, and deep water can actually float your car and take it off the roadway.
* Turn on the defroster if the windshield begins to fog up. In hot, muggy weather, air conditioned air (which cannot contain as much moisture) will usually clear the inside of the windshield faster than non-air conditioned.
* Be aware that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum type brakes are especially prone to decreased stopping power after driving through deep water.
* Watch for splashing from potholes and pools of water that accumulate at clogged storm drain pipes and low areas of the pavement. Highways also develop “ruts” where the heaviest traffic tracks are, and you may be able to position your vehicle while remaining in your lane to avoid these.
* Clear standing raindrops. Use a rain repellent product on side windows and mirrors to clear standing raindrops.
* Beware of camouflaged objects or vehicles at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-coloured cars can be camouflaged among glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors.
