Driving in Rain Safety Tips

Driving in the rain is difficult and in the night it is even worse. It is difficult to see out of the window and the other car’s lights seems to make it worse especially when you begin to hydroplane.

The most important things to consider in rain are speed, stopping distance and visibility.
1. Reduce your speed. Roads are slick with oil during the rainy season, which means vehicles will have less traction when driving. This is called hydroplaning, and it only takes a slightly wet road and a speed below 50 kilometers per hour for this to happen. Drive slower than you normally would and always make sure you are within, even lower, the speed limit.
2. Increase stopping distance to four second rather than two second. Because of the slippery roads, it’s best to give other drivers more space to avoid collisions. Braking can be more difficult so make sure to have a distance of several car lengths between you and others.
3. Turn on your headlights to give better visibility.
4. Be aware that brakes can be affected by water in rain.
5. Stay towards the middle lanes, Water tends to pool in the outer lanes
6. Drive in the tracks of vehicles ahead of you.
7. Watch out for brake lights of the vehicle in front of you.
8. Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. Their tiers splash water that ultimately obstructs your vision
9. Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it, your car could be swept off the road. It’s hard to tell how flooded these areas are and it may end up damaging your car. Some cars can float with even just a foot of water.
10. Never drive beyond the limits of visibility. This is not the time to be distracted. Be fully present when you’re driving and watch out for floods, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
11. Avoid off-road driving.
12. Avoid overtaking unnecessarily.
13. Be aware of hydroplaning: This is the situation when your vehicle has NO or very little contact with ground.
15. If possible stay off the road during heavy thunderstorms. Pull over and wait for the rain to subside if it’s too strong. Yes, you need to go somewhere, but your safety is more important.
16. Always stay in touch with weather condition report, radio channel, social media sites and news bulletin.                                                                                                                                 17. One of the things to keep in mind during the rainy season is to have enough gas. You wouldn’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere and there’s no telling where the nearest gas station will be. Make sure you have enough to get to your destination.

Make Sure following things before You Move
• That all your vehicle parts and accessories are in working condition. Make sure your head and tail lights are working, and that the brakes, turn signals, and windshield wipers aren’t faulty. Ensure that tires are well-maintained. Bring an emergency kit that includes a spare tire, jumper cables, a toolkit, flashlight and extra batteries, and reflective triangles.
• You have enough fuel in the tank.

Safety is both an individual and collective responsibility and starts with Me, You and All of Us. Stay Safe during this rainy season and arrive alive.

#AmbSteveMbuguaRoadSafetyCampaign2019 #ARoadSafetyCulture