What are the main reasons for slowing down when driving a motor vehicle in rainy weather?
2 Answers
The main reasons for slowing down when driving a motor vehicle in rainy weather are: emergency braking is prone to skidding, which affects the driver's field of vision, and the braking distance will increase, so try to avoid accidents as much as possible. Precautions for traveling in rainy weather: 1. Control your speed: When driving in rainy weather, pay attention to controlling your speed, maintain a safe distance, and avoid blindly rushing to change lanes to prevent accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility. In case of a traffic accident, move the vehicle to a location that does not obstruct traffic as soon as possible for quick handling to avoid leaving safety hazards. 2. Maintain good visibility: In addition to driving carefully when driving on the road in rainy weather, turn on the wipers in time, and also turn on the low beam and fog lights when the weather is dim. If there is frost on the front windshield, turn on the cold air and blow it towards the front windshield. If there is frost on the rear windshield, turn on the rear windshield heater to eliminate the frost as soon as possible to avoid unclear visibility of the vehicles behind. 3. Drive slowly in low gear: Experienced drivers know that no matter how wide the road is or how good the road conditions are, try to use second or third gear when driving in the rain, with a speed not exceeding 30 or 40 kilometers per hour. Always pay attention to the distance between the vehicles in front and behind and your own car, and be mentally prepared to take various emergency measures in advance. If you need to stop, try to slow down about 100 meters in advance and lightly tap the brakes to give the following vehicles enough time to prepare for emergencies. 4. Plan your route in advance: When traveling in rainy weather, please pay attention to traffic conditions and weather information in advance, pay attention to traffic prompts on outdoor information displays during the trip, choose a good driving route, and avoid waterlogged and congested sections.
Driving slowly in the rain is mainly to deal with safety risks. As someone who frequently drives long distances, I am especially cautious on wet roads because tire grip is significantly reduced, and high speeds can lead to skidding—I once almost lost control on a curve. When the rain is heavy, visibility becomes poor, and even windshield wipers can't keep up with the water accumulation, making it hard to see vehicles or pedestrians ahead. Slowing down gives enough reaction time to avoid panic. Other drivers may also make mistakes, like sudden braking or erratic lane changes, so maintaining a low speed ensures a safe distance to react. It's advisable to turn on your headlights and check that your tire tread isn't too shallow—these small actions enhance safety. Safety always comes first; driving slower doesn’t cause delays and can save lives. Experience has taught me that speeding in the rain is the worst mistake—patient driving is the way to go.
