What should be paid attention to when driving in rainy days?
2 Answers
Precautions for driving in rainy days are as follows: 1. Reduce speed and drive slowly: In severe weather conditions, strictly control the driving speed to allow yourself enough time to react. The adhesion between tires and the road decreases in rainy conditions, and tire grip becomes worse. Try to maintain low-speed driving, using second or third gear, with a speed not exceeding 30 or 40 kilometers per hour. When driving at high speed on highways with thin layers of water, the water film effect prevents the tires from directly contacting the road surface, causing the vehicle to slide and float, which can easily lead to loss of control. When stopping, decelerate about 100 meters in advance to give following vehicles time to prepare for an emergency. 2. Ensure clear visibility: Rainy conditions obstruct visibility, which can easily lead to road traffic accidents. Therefore, promptly turn on the windshield wipers and adjust the wiper speed according to the intensity of the rain to maintain good visibility. When the weather is dim, turn on the low beams, fog lights, and outline lights. If there is fog on the windows obstructing visibility, promptly turn on the air conditioning to disperse the fog. Keep the rearview mirrors clear. If the rearview mirrors or triangular windows become blurred due to rain, you can install rain guards or use professional "rain repellent," or turn on the rearview mirror heating function or add plastic sheets to shield from the rain. 3. Water wading skills: When passing under overpasses or waterlogged roads, do not rashly wade through water. Check the depth of the water before proceeding cautiously. When passing through waterlogged areas, shift to a low gear and proceed at a steady, slow speed. Do not shift gears, stop, or pass at high speed midway. If encountering muddy sections, drive along the ruts left by the vehicle in front. 4. Do not restart after stalling: When driving in rainy days, if the engine gets flooded, never attempt to restart the vehicle to avoid damaging the engine. If the vehicle stalls and cannot be started, the correct approach is to push the car from the low-lying area to a higher position as soon as possible, set up a danger warning sign, and call for rescue, waiting for help.
I've driven on many rainy roads, and the deepest lesson is to take it easy. Rain reduces tire grip, so the first thing is to slow down. If you usually drive at 60, it's best to keep it around 40 in the rain, especially when turning or approaching traffic lights—brake gently, no sudden stops. Increase your following distance too, maintaining at least a 3-second safety gap, because braking distance can double on wet roads. I always check my wipers before heading out to ensure they clear properly. If there's any oil film on the windshield, rain will blur it instantly, so clean it beforehand. When it gets dark, remember to turn on your headlights—not just to see better but also to make sure other drivers notice you. Go slow through puddles; splashes can block your vision momentarily and lead to loss of control. In short, patience is key—don’t rush, getting home safely is what matters most.
