What are the safety precautions for driving in rainy weather?

[MacJulianna]

Safety precautions for driving in rainy weather are as follows: Reduce speed and drive cautiously: Regardless of road width or surface conditions, slow down in the rain and be mentally prepared to take various emergency measures. Visibility is low in rainy weather, and the field of vision is poor. The braking distance and other emergency performance of the vehicle will also be reduced, so it is necessary to slow down in advance, leaving sufficient time and space to handle situations and ensure safety. Maintain distance: When driving in the rain with obstructed vision, pay attention to maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, constantly observe the distance between the front and rear vehicles, and increase the safety distance. Especially stay away from large vehicles: firstly, they can block your view; secondly, puddles that large vehicles can pass through may not be passable for small cars, and large vehicles are prone to splashing water waves, which can interfere with the driving of small cars.

[SanEmmanuel]

When driving long distances in rainy weather, there are a few key points to keep in mind: First, replace old windshield wiper blades before heading out to ensure clear visibility. Reduce your speed by at least 30% compared to sunny conditions, especially on highways where you shouldn’t exceed 80 km/h. Maintain a following distance at least two car lengths longer than usual to avoid rear-end collisions if the car ahead brakes suddenly. When crossing waterlogged areas, use a low gear and keep a steady throttle—suddenly lifting off the accelerator risks water entering the engine. If heavy rain reduces visibility, use fog lights instead of hazard lights, as hazards can be dangerous when changing lanes. If side mirrors fog up, adjust the air vents upward to defog them—it’s safer than wiping them by hand. Also, avoid parking in low-lying areas; last year, a friend’s car was flooded, costing tens of thousands in repairs.

[AngelinaAnn]

I once had a slip on a mountain road during rainy weather, so now I pay extra attention to tire checks: if the tire tread wears down to the warning line, it must be replaced—old tires are three times more likely to skid. Slow down at least 50 meters before a turn; I’ve personally seen an SUV spin out and hit the guardrail in the rain. Be especially cautious when driving at night in the rain—streetlight reflections often make lane markings disappear. In such cases, follow the taillights of the car ahead and enable the lane departure warning feature on your navigation. Adjust your fog lights to a lower position in advance; if the beam extends beyond 20 meters, it can blind oncoming drivers. Near bus stops, anticipate pedestrians suddenly crossing—umbrellas can completely block their view.

[DiNatalie]

After 20 years in auto repair, I've seen countless rainy-day accident cases. The most overlooked issue is tire pressure – a difference exceeding 0.3 among four tires becomes extremely dangerous. If the anti-skid light suddenly illuminates on your dashboard while driving in rain, it means ABS has engaged – never make sudden steering corrections then. Activating rear window defogger wires 10 minutes in advance works best; waiting until fog forms is too late. During heavy rain, slightly tilting open the sunroof prevents interior fogging. If you detect musty odors from AC vents, inspect the cabin air filter immediately – a moldy filter doubles windshield fogging speed.

[OLaila]

Novice drivers should remember the three "slow" principles: steer slowly, brake gently, and accelerate gradually. Slamming on the brakes suddenly in rainy weather is particularly prone to causing skidding—I always brake in two gentle stages. Automatic transmission drivers, take note: when wading through water, shift to M or L gear to maintain 2000 RPM, ensuring sufficient exhaust pressure to prevent backflow. Keep a dry towel in the car to wipe the mirrors at any time—it's much more effective than rain repellents sold online. Turning off the wipers at traffic lights reduces the motor's load; I've repaired over a dozen wiper motors burnt out from rainy-day use. When parking, remember to lift the wiper blades to prevent burning out the fuse if they freeze and are forced to operate.

[McAlana]

The most deadly aspect in rainy weather is visual misjudgment. What appears to be a shallow puddle can actually submerge half of your tire. When encountering unfamiliar roads, following the tracks of the vehicle ahead is the safest approach. Always turn your head to check blind spots before changing lanes, as rain increases blind spots by 20% in side mirrors. Remember to turn on your low beams during heavy rain in the late afternoon; don’t assume automatic headlights can accurately gauge light intensity. Vehicles with lane-keeping assist have a misjudgment rate as high as 30% in the rain, so don’t rely too heavily on the steering wheel. When passing through school zones, keep your foot hovering over the brake pedal in preparation to stop—children holding umbrellas often can’t hear honking. In case of minor scrapes in the rain, avoid staying inside the car to argue; the reflectivity of raincoats on the roadside is only 10% of what it is on sunny days.