EDITORS DESK
As the country expects to see more rains in the coming weeks, it’s timely to remind drivers of a few tips to stay safe when in the car during inclement weather. Chances are, you’ve already heard of these reminders, but it pays to keep hammering home the point.
Rain does not only hamper one’s visibility when operating a vehicle. It also affects a vehicle’s grip and hence, its capability to turn as well as slow down. Keeping these factors in mind should help you navigate the wet roads more safely.
Slow down
The first is easily the most critical. During the initial downpour, the rainwater brings up all the debris buried in the road. This includes oil, tar, grime, and loose particles. Since oil is lighter than water, a thin film of oil film can float on the surface, affect the contact patch between your tires and the road surface. Rain can do the same to tar, grime and other loose particles, making the road slippery. Roads are much more slippery in a light drizzle than in heavy rain, so take the extra precaution when driving in a light drizzle. Continuous heavy downpour will eventually wash the oil and grime towards the roadside or the gutter. However, this doesn’t make it any safer. The thicker amount of water will be harder for your tires to displace, so continue to exercise caution. Do not brake hard or steer abruptly. Rather, be more gentle with your steering and brake inputs to give your tires time to displace water and contact the road surface.
Keep distance
Because you have much less grip during the rain and the raindrops on the windshield will likely obscure your vision, it should go without saying to also keep distance from the cars ahead. Staying farther away from them gives you more time to react to their sudden moves. This allows you to apply the throttle, brakes or steering input more progressively and avoid sudden movements that may upset the vehicle’s already diminished grip on the road.
Switch on your headlights
This may not necessarily improve your vision during heavy downpour, but the real reason to turn them in is to increase your vehicle’s visibility to others. No need to turn on high beams. Regular driving lights will do. Raindrops absorb and refract light, so the bright lights of a high beam will only create more glare in front of your car, which can further limit your forward vision.
Turning on your regular driving lights not only switches on the lights in front but also in the rear. These make it easier for other cars and pedestrians to see you coming from farther away, even in heavy rain. If your vehicle is equipped with front and/or rear fog lamps, turn them on too. The more visible you are to those around you, the better.
Do not use hazard lights
Whenever it's pouring, do not use hazard lights while you are in motion. Many drivers out there still believe it helps their vehicle become more visible in a downpour. The truth is, it actually causes more confusion. While hazard lights are on, you cannot indicate if you are turning left or right. When you actually need to turn, you either won’t be able to signal or will need to turn your hazard lights off temporarily. In addition, other drivers might think you are stopped or have a problem with your vehicle. It will be harder to distinguish your moving vehicle from others that are actually stopped on the side of the road.
It’s best to simply switch on your regular lights. Don’t worry about visibility as these driving lights are more than enough to make your vehicle visible even in a heavy downpour. It’s even more effective in newer cars that have all-LED lighting as these systems are even brighter than the standard. If you’re still worried about being visible in the rain, turn on front and rear fog lamps if you have them.
Maintain wipers
Finally, don’t wait for heavy rains to realize your wipers need to be changed. Every week, run a damp cloth along the wiper blades to keep them clear of dry leaves or debris. This helps avoid streaks on the windshield that block your vision when it’s raining. Regularly change your wipers, especially if you park your car outside. The sun degrades the rubber over time and can cause cracks that diminish their effectivity.
Well-maintained wipers can last up to three years, however, to be safe, it’s best to change them every two. They’re not that expensive nor difficult to change, after all. You simply need to measure their lengths (left and right blades may be different lengths). Most packages even come with adaptors to attach the blades.
These simple tips should help make your drive during heavy downpour even safer. Slight adjustments to your typical driving will go a long way.
(Iñigo S. Roces is the Motoring Editor of Manila Bulletin)