What are the effects of water on the road surface on driving?
3 Answers
Many vehicles experience a significant decrease in braking performance after wading through water. This is because the water soaks into the brake drums, reducing the friction coefficient. Therefore, after driving through water, you should not accelerate quickly. Instead, drive in a low gear for a while and intentionally apply the brakes lightly several times to use the heat generated by braking to quickly evaporate the water. Precautions for driving through water are as follows: 1. Water entering the engine block does not have a lubricating effect: Restarting the engine can cause severe wear to engine pistons, cylinders, and other components, and in severe cases, even lead to engine failure. 2. When encountering a waterlogged section of the road: The driver should first assess the actual situation (depth of the water) to decide whether to proceed. If this is a familiar route and the driver is confident in their vehicle's ability to pass through, they may attempt to proceed. Exercise caution when driving on unfamiliar roads.
Driving on wet roads can be quite troublesome. The tire grip suddenly decreases, and the braking distance can extend by more than half. I once had a close call with skidding and losing control while driving on the highway in the rain. Now, every time it rains, I remind myself to slow down and check if the tire treads are worn out. If the water is deep, the car might even get flooded and stall, especially older vehicles which are more at risk. Visibility is another issue—the windshield gets blurred by water splashes, relying on the wipers to work diligently. If the wipers are old and not replaced in time, it can be dizzying to see. I recommend everyone to regularly maintain their braking systems and tires, keep a safe distance when driving in the rain, and avoid slamming on the brakes. Otherwise, a minor issue could turn into a major one. Getting home safely is what matters most.
I haven't been driving for long, and I get particularly nervous when the road is wet and slippery in rainy weather. It's easy to skid and lose control, and the tires don't have good grip, so I have to brake much earlier. Once, when the water was deep, the car suddenly stalled, leaving me stuck in the middle of the road—so embarrassing. Water splashed onto the windows, blurring everything, and at night it was even harder to see the road. I had to drive carefully and turn on the lights to alert others. I've learned to keep my speed within a safe range, check if the windshield wipers are working properly, and use the air conditioning's defogging function, which is crucial to avoid fogging up and adding to the chaos. Beginners should practice braking in the rain in an empty lot and keep an emergency toolkit handy to handle minor issues on the road.
