Examine Your Vehicle
Driving in the rain requires you to carefully inspect all important parts of your vehicle. Before any ride, ensure your car is in good condition and has enough tyre tread.
Check whether the windshield wipers, headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are working fine. Those components are crucial in low-light conditions, especially the headlights. Also consider applying a water repellent solution on the windshield to improve visibility while driving in heavy rain.
Check Weather Forecast and Traffic
Check the weather forecast to see if it will rain heavily when you drive and check a real-time traffic application to plan your route. Avoid congested areas and damaged roads. It is preferable to adhere to the roads you’re familiar with.
Stay Alert
Monsoon driving demands your full attention. Avoid distractions such as mobile phones, eating, or adjusting the radio/navigation. Focus on the road ahead and your surroundings. Keep both hands on the steering wheel for optimal control of the vehicle in wet conditions and strong winds.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
Experts also advise against using the cruise control function in wet road conditions, as the automatic acceleration can cause you to lose control of your vehicle when your vehicle hydroplanes.
Reduce Speed
Drive slowly or at a manageable speed that allows for safe braking without skidding.
Avoid Flooded Areas and Puddle
When you see a puddle, avoid driving through it. If you can’t, slow down so that you don’t make splashes that can hinder your visibility and that of other drivers. Beware of aquaplaning. If you aquaplane, don’t panic. Release both the brake and accelerator pedal and try to steer your vehicle back on the lane.
If you’re driving while raining on a three-lane road, try to stay in the middle lane because water tends to pool in the left or right lane. Steer clear of deep water and find alternative routes to avoid engine and electrical system damage.
Keep Constant Speed in the Flood
If you cannot avoid driving in the flood, keep a constant speed and don’t release the accelerator to prevent water getting into the exhaust pipe.
Keep Headlights On
Turn on your headlights to improve visibility and to make your vehicle more visible to others.
Never Turn On Hazard Lights
Some people think it’s a good idea to turn on hazard lights while driving in the rain but they can cause glare on other drivers behind you. It’s also confusing for them because you should use those lights only when encountering road hazards or your car is stationary due to some issues.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Rain significantly reduces the grip between your tyres and the road surface, which means it takes longer to bring your vehicle to a complete stop. It’s recommended to increase the following distance from the standard 3 seconds to at least 4 seconds in the rain. This will help you avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of you if it suddenly brakes.
Brake Gently
Avoid sudden brakes and sharp turns on wet roads to prevent skidding. Having a reliable navigation system can help anticipate turns. Additionally, gentle brakes will alert the drivers behind you that you are slowing down and give them enough time to brake properly.
Avoid Driving at Night
One of the most important tips for driving in the rain at night is to avoid it at all cost. Driving at night is generally dangerous, but doing it during the monsoon season presents even greater challenges due to the combination of reduced visibility from both darkness and rain. Be extremely careful and ensure you are well-rested if you must do it.
Stop When It Rains Too Heavily
If it starts raining heavily during your journey, consider pulling over to a safe place like a rest area or petrol station until visibility improves. Driving in heavy rain poses significant risks for drivers, regardless of their level of experience.
Driving Confidently in Monsoon with MICHELIN tyres
Should you need to buy new tyres for your vehicle before the monsoon starts, consider MICHELIN Primacy 5. It provides you excellent wet braking performance, ensuring your safety on slippery roads. Additionally, it offers impressive fuel efficiency and durability, making it a valuable investment for your driving needs.
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