Should You Drive Slowly or Quickly Through Puddles?
2 Answers
You should drive slowly through puddles. Here are some tips for driving through puddles: 1. Brake gently: When driving in rainy weather, always brake gently to avoid sudden stops. Most cars can handle water depths of 15-20 cm in urban areas, but it's important not to drive too fast. Try to avoid splashing water by using a low gear. Never drive through ditches or puddles at high speed, as this can cause water to splash and increase the actual depth of the water, potentially leading to engine flooding. Do not attempt to drive through water that exceeds the centerline of your tires. 2. Clean your side mirrors: Raindrops on the side mirrors can create blind spots for the driver, so it's important to clean them regularly. Be extra cautious when changing lanes. If the rain is too heavy or there is a severe thunderstorm, park your vehicle in a higher area to avoid flooding.
When driving through puddles, I always slow down and never accelerate. It's about safety: speeding through creates huge splashes that instantly blur the windshield, making you drive blindly—dangerous enough to cause a crash or hydroplaning. I've experienced this firsthand: during a heavy rain, I slowed down and passed smoothly, while a friend sped through, splashed water, and skidded into a guardrail. Slowing down also protects the car—high-speed water impact wears tires, shocks the suspension, and in deeper water, it may enter the engine intake, leading to major repairs. Plus, splashing pedestrians or cyclists is just rude—I’ve been drenched while biking, and it’s awful. Make it a habit: slow to around 20 km/h and pass steadily. This habit has kept me accident-free for years, with minimal cost. Remember, safety first—slowing isn’t delay, it’s wisdom.
