Autos

How to Drive Safely in the Rain?

How to Drive Safely in the Rain?

A rainy day does call for a cup of karak chai and freshly made pakoras but it also invites a lot of road trouble. 

There is a time of the year, when the entire country witnesses rain falls. While some parts experience heavy rain falls more frequently, others are more inclined to witness drizzling. Whether a sprinkle or a heavy downpour, you will be required to drive your car on a rainy day at some point in time. 

Knowing how reduced visibility is and how wet roads can get during this time, it is extremely essential to know how to drive a car in rain. 

To make it easier for you, we have listed down a few tips that will help you during rainy days. 

1. Check Your Car’s Equipment

Make sure that your car’s equipment is working properly before you decide to hit the road. Check if your tail lights, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly so they do not cause any trouble when needed. 

Since a rainy day can not always be predicted, it is always best to have your car in the best form. To achieve that goal, you should book a car inspection at OLX Pakistan

Wind-shield-wiper

2. Know the Roads

You may be well aware of the road conditions in your area, but if you drive to some new place on a rainy day, stay extra aware. Potholes and puddles are present on roads and you wouldn’t want to hit your car straight in a hole full of water. 

Also be cautious with merging lanes as well. 

3. Slow Down

Not only are you supposed to follow the posted speed limit, in wet weather conditions, you should also drive slower than you normally do. It saves you from potential roadside accidents and prevents skidding as well. 

4. Turn On Your Headlights

Make sure you turn on your car’s headlights when you are driving. It will not only increase your visibility but will also help other drivers to see your car. 

Car-headlights-in-rain

5. Maintain a Safe Distance From Other Vehicles

Since stopping a vehicle is difficult during the rain, make sure that you keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle that is in front of you. It will help you apply brakes without hitting the car in front of you. 

6. Turn on Your Defroster

Windshield fogging can interfere with your visibility and to prevent it, you should turn on your front and rear defrosters. 

7. Look Out for Standing Water

Look out for standing water as driving through it can cause hydroplaning which can lead to losing traction and skidding. To avoid hydroplaning, try to choose lanes that do not have any collected water or try to carefully steer around water puddles. 

car-hydroplaing

8. Drive in Middle Lanes

Water usually pools on the outside lanes so try to drive in the middle lane.

9. Avoid Hard Braking

Try to avoid hard braking as much as you can. Take your foot off the accelerator a little earlier than you normally would so that it is easier for you to slow down and apply brakes at the right time. 

Also, make sure that you do not use cruise control during rainy days. 

10. Avoid Water Filled Roads

If you see a road filled with water, unless it is extremely necessary, avoid using it. You can easily lose control on such a road and even if you don’t, a larger vehicle could push water causing it to enter your car’s engine. This will make your car stop. You may not be able to restart. 

water-filled-road

11. Watch for Pedestrians

Make sure you do not splash water on people walking on roads or riding on motorcycles. Try to drive slowly when you move past them. 

12. Check Your Tire Pressure

Since tires provide traction and keep your car steady on the road, make sure you check your tread and tire pressure when you decide to hit the road on a rainy day. 

If it is not absolutely necessary, try to avoid going on a day when it is raining heavily. 

That is about it!

We hope that this guide will help you know how to drive a car in the rain. Do let us know if you have any other tips.

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