What are the precautions for driving in rainy weather?
2 Answers
Here are the specific precautions for driving in rainy weather: 1. Maintain good visibility. Besides driving cautiously in the rain, promptly turn on the windshield wipers. When the weather is dim, also turn on the low beams and fog lights. If there is frost on the front windshield, turn on the air conditioning and direct the cold air toward the front windshield. If there is frost on the rear windshield, turn on the rear windshield heater to quickly eliminate the frost and avoid obstructing the view of vehicles behind. 2. Drive slowly in low gear. Regardless of the road width or surface condition, drive in second or third gear at a speed not exceeding 30 or 40 kilometers per hour. Always pay attention to the distance between vehicles in front and behind you and be mentally prepared to take emergency measures. When parking, try to decelerate about 100 meters in advance and brake lightly to give following vehicles enough time to react. 3. Prevent wheel skidding. Rainwater on the road forms a "lubricant" with the tires, reducing the car's braking performance and making it prone to skidding. Therefore, the driver should hold the steering wheel with both hands, maintain straight and low-speed driving, and when turning, gently apply the brakes to prevent the tires from locking up and causing the vehicle to skid. 4. Turn on the lights promptly. In heavy rain with extremely low visibility, turn on the headlights, position lights, and taillights, and move the vehicle off the road or park it in a safe place.
Having driven for over 20 years, I know rain demands extra caution. Top priority: slow down. Wet roads double braking distances—accidents wait. Reduce speed to safe limits, say 60-80 in cities. Maintain double the usual following distance to prevent rear-enders. Always use dipped beams or fog lights to boost visibility—let others see you without blinding them with high beams. Check wiper blades for wear; replace them for clear views, and hit the defrost button if windows fog. Take turns gently to avoid skids, and crawl through puddles to prevent hydroplaning. Stay calm—rain crashes often stem from haste. Plan routes ahead to dodge flood zones. Keep up with maintenance, especially tire pressure, and prep checks before wet seasons to sidestep trouble.
