Driving During Heavy Downpour-Top 5 Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

Driving during heavy shower is always scary and nerve-wracking experience and even the most experienced professionals end up with severe road fatal while driving in a rainstorm. Your vehicle might be difficult to hydroplane, response time will be comparatively slower and accidents will likely happen if you don't keep a watch on the surrounding traffic, be watchful of the on-road hazards and keep speed limits in check.

If you have recently completed your driving lessons and are all set to drive during heavy rain, here are 5 safety precautions you should always keep in mind.

Inspect Your Tyre Tread

No matter how good are your car's safety mechanisms; you should check your tyres before going out with your car during heavy shower. That's because tyres come in direct contact with the road surface and undergo heavy friction. Make sure they are in good condition with a minimum of 4mm tread. The tread grooves play a crucial role in driving away excess water and expose rubber to make direct contact with the surface. If your tyres lack tread or are worn out, it can fetch you the risk of 'aquaplaning'.

Check the Functioning of Your Brakes

It's imperative to check your brakes and keep pads, discs and hoses in top working order particularly during rainy reason. Rain fetches its own set of security risks and if your car brakes aren't functional, you may end up with severe road fatal. Professional instructors of the best driving school in Greater Geelong recommend parking your car in a safe zone and pumping the brake pedal for about 10 seconds while driving in flooded roads. This will allow pads to dry and mitigate the risk of slips and slides while driving.

Make Sure Your Lights Are Working

Among many other road safety tips, proper signalling is something which every beginner, as well as experienced driver, should keep in mind. Whether you want to change lanes or make a turn in a rainstorm, proper use of headlights and indicators are a must to avert the risk of collisions or life-threatening car accidents. Heavy rain makes roads wet and also cause headlights to malfunction. Don't forget to check your headlights before going out with your car to ensure top-most safety behind wheels.

Keep Speed Limits in Check

It's never to wise to show off your driving skills by overspeeding. When it comes to driving in a rainstorm, the first and foremost thing you should keep in mind is to keep speed limits in check. Heavy rain makes roads wet and slippery which triggers the potential of sliding. Also, you should avoid cruise control on wet roads as it can be counterproductive. If you take the plunge of hydroplaning under cruise control, automatic acceleration can seize your control over car when tyres regain traction.

Be Watchful of Road Hazards

While driving during heavy downpour, you need to be watchful of the surrounding traffic and on-road hazards to minimise risk of life-threatening collisions. Maintain a safe distance from cars ahead of you and identify potholes by keeping your headlights on. Check for motorists intending to make turns or crossing lanes and let other drivers know about your actions by using your indicators properly.

Safety begins with you and driving during adverse weather conditions requires extra attention and focus. Keep these precautions in mind to keep the safety of your life and property intact.