Will highways be closed during rain?
5 Answers
Under normal rainy conditions, highways are not closed unless extreme weather such as heavy rain or dense fog prompts temporary closure measures. Below are some precautions for driving in the rain: 1. Reduce speed and drive cautiously: Regardless of road width or surface condition, slow down in the rain and always pay attention to the distance between vehicles ahead and behind, preparing mentally for various emergency measures. Visibility is low in rainy weather, and the field of vision is poor. The braking distance and other emergency performance of vehicles are also reduced, so it's essential to slow down in advance, leaving enough time and space to handle situations and ensure safety. 2. Maintain a safe distance: Rainy conditions obstruct visibility, so it's crucial to keep a safe distance from other vehicles, constantly observing the distance between cars ahead and behind, and increasing the safety margin. Especially stay away from large vehicles, as they can block your view, and puddles that large vehicles can pass through might not be navigable for smaller cars. Additionally, large vehicles can splash water, disrupting smaller vehicles' driving. 3. Use fog lights in the rain: Make full use of fog lights to enhance driving safety in the rain. Turn on hazard warning lights when necessary to ensure that vehicles behind are always aware of your movements ahead.
As a veteran driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I can tell you definitively that highways may indeed be closed during rain, and this isn't a decision made arbitrarily by traffic authorities. The closure criteria mainly depend on rainfall and road conditions. If heavy rain reduces visibility below 50 meters or causes water accumulation exceeding wheel depth, the highway will be temporarily closed. I've encountered two rain-induced closures during night drives, waiting three hours at service areas both times. While these measures cause inconvenience, they've effectively prevented many multi-vehicle pileups. After all, wet roads see friction coefficients plummet - braking distance at 120 km/h increases by over 30 meters compared to dry conditions. I recommend checking real-time traffic via navigation apps or the 12122 hotline before trips, and keeping emergency water and snacks in your bag. Highway management follows detailed protocols, and their precautionary closures based on weather alerts are ultimately for everyone's safety.
Understanding the decision to close highways due to rain requires considering specific conditions. Light rain generally doesn't affect traffic, but continuous heavy precipitation lasting over half an hour may trigger closure protocols. Key factors include road drainage capacity - some older sections are prone to hydroplaning when flooded, while slopes and curves pose higher risks. Traffic authorities primarily monitor two real-time indicators: visibility meters showing less than 100 meters, or surface sensors detecting friction coefficients dropping to dangerous thresholds. Closure decisions are jointly made by the road network monitoring center and meteorological bureau, with advance warnings displayed on electronic signs. I've witnessed vehicles forcibly entering closed sections during storms, resulting in three-car pileups that caused five-hour jams. For regular drivers, two core principles are recommended: slow down when you can't see the taillights of the vehicle ahead, and exit the highway immediately if abnormal steering wheel vibrations occur.
Based on traffic management experience, the decision to close highways due to rain hinges on the evaluation of driving safety indices. The impact varies significantly with different rainfall intensities: when hourly precipitation reaches 20mm (moderate rain level), partial ramp metering will be implemented; exceeding 50mm (torrential rain level) triggers full highway closure. Beyond rainfall, wind data must be considered, especially for bridge-tunnel sections with crosswinds surpassing level 7. During a typhoon emergency response I participated in, the closure protocol was rigorously executed: road maintenance crews first deployed traffic cones for diversion, traffic police subsequently sealed toll stations, and finally the network control center uniformly disseminated information via variable message signs. Drivers should particularly note that 'black hole effect' during rain-fog conditions may cause misjudgment of lane positions. When encountering closures, never occupy emergency lanes; instead, stay updated with reopening announcements through local traffic radio in service areas.
From a practical standpoint, highway closures during rain primarily aim to prevent two major hazards: First, the hydroplaning effect that causes complete loss of vehicle control, especially when rainfall exceeds 30mm, making tires float on water and lose traction. Second, the fog bank phenomenon where rapid temperature drops after heavy rains create deadly traps in low-lying sections. Accident data research shows highway crash rates during rainfall are triple those in clear weather. Traffic authorities implement phased controls: initially closing critical sections with gradients exceeding 5%, then expanding closures as rainfall intensifies. Drivers can assess risk by listening to tire friction sounds - sudden disappearance of splashing noises indicates dangerous hydroplaning conditions. For long rainy-season trips, keeping an old towel handy proves faster than AC defogging for clearing windshield condensation.
