Why is it not advisable to overtake in rainy weather?

[PaisleeLynn]

The reasons why overtaking is not advisable in rainy weather are: 1. Difficulty in accurately judging the distance of surrounding vehicles; 2. Other drivers may have trouble seeing overtaking signals; 3. Slippery road conditions increase the risk of vehicle skidding; 4. Reduced ability to promptly detect hazardous situations. Speed limits in rainy weather vary depending on specific conditions: 1. On highways, the speed limit is between 80 to 100 km/h; 2. In urban areas with light rain, the speed limit is between 70 to 80 km/h. Precautions for driving in rainy weather include: 1. Reduce speed and maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and behind; 2. Turn on windshield wipers to maintain good visibility; 3. Direct the air conditioning towards the windshield to minimize fogging; 4. Drive slowly through waterlogged areas and detour if water levels exceed the exhaust pipe; 5. Slow down on curves and avoid sudden braking; 6. Turn on fog lights to make your vehicle more noticeable to other drivers; 7. Do not start the vehicle if the engine has taken in water; 8. Avoid restarting the vehicle after it stalls; 9. Pay attention to the movements of non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians, maintaining a safe speed.

[LeRhett]

Never attempt to overtake recklessly in rainy conditions. As someone with years of driving experience, I deeply understand how heavy rain makes roads slippery as if coated with oil, significantly reducing tire traction. What normally requires a light brake tap to stop now demands forceful braking to slow down. Add to that the relentless drumming of rain on windshields, blurring visibility with fogged-up side mirrors, making it impossible to judge the distance of vehicles behind. If a car suddenly changes lanes or brakes during an overtake, reaction time is critically compromised. Additionally, water accumulation often causes hydroplaning, where tires lose contact with the road, rendering the car as uncontrollable as a skateboard—I narrowly avoided hitting guardrails in my youth due to this, saved only by quick steering correction. Statistics show rainy-day overtaking accidents are over twice as frequent as in dry conditions. Far wiser to maintain a safe following distance and wait for lighter rain or clear skies. Remember: prioritizing safety outweighs saving mere minutes by a hundredfold.

[VanElla]

As an old-timer who frequently drives long distances, I must remind you not to overtake recklessly in rainy weather. The road is slippery, and tire grip is significantly reduced. Overtaking requires sudden acceleration and sharp steering, but if the tires lose traction, the car may skid or even roll over. Rain severely obstructs visibility—no matter how hard the wipers work, it's hard to see the movements of vehicles ahead, especially with large trucks kicking up spray, which is even more dangerous. I’ve had my share of close calls—once, during heavy rain, I tried to overtake in a hurry, and my car hydroplaned straight into the guardrail. It was a hard lesson. Psychologically, rain can make drivers impatient and prone to misjudgment, thinking they should hurry past, but that only increases the risk of collision. My advice to new drivers is to learn from my experience: drive slowly and steadily in the rain, use the recirculating air conditioning to reduce fogging, and focus on getting home safely. Save overtaking for clear weather.

[Opal]

Overtaking in rainy weather is asking for trouble, as the slippery road surface reduces tire grip and significantly increases braking distance. Visibility is also blurred by the rain, making it hard to judge the distance between vehicles ahead and behind. Accelerating to change lanes during overtaking can easily lead to hydroplaning and loss of control, with ABS potentially failing. My personal advice is to avoid such reckless actions—just maintain a steady speed while driving.