Driving in the rain does not require special skill on the part of the driver, but it does require special attention. Rain modifies road conditions (the grip of the tires with the road is reduced), as well as visibility, which is why it is important to take into account various factors to drive safely.
Although common sense is your greatest ally when driving in adverse conditions, it doesn’t hurt to review a series of concepts and tricks if you have to get behind the wheel and drive underwater, on wet pavement. Because the car brakes worse, traction worse and turns worse in the rain.
You must keep in mind that rain does not cause accidents, but drivers, who do not know how to adapt to the new road conditions, lower their grip limits. So, we are going to emphasize what you should pay special attention to at this time:
Car ready
There is no point in being the best driver if you do not have the machine that responds properly to adverse weather conditions. You have to pay special attention to these elements (always, but especially when it rains):
- Tires: We will not tire of saying their importance in safety, since they are the only point of contact with the ground. Check if they are in good condition or if there are signs that you should change the tires. In rain it is vital that the pattern is correct, that is, with a minimum depth of 1.6 mm. Below, in addition to being fined, the evacuation of rain will not be effective.
- Shock absorbers: They are vital to control body movements and have a feel on the steering wheel that allows you to maintain the tires without losing grip. Find out when you should change the shock absorbers to avoid vertical and lateral movements that can modify the line, nor will they allow an adequate reaction to a movement, even with the help of the stability control (ESP) mandatory in all cars currently sold.
- Brakes: On wet roads, they lose effectiveness. It is important to know how to detect problems in the brakes to have pads, discs and the pressure of the braking circuit in ideal conditions.
- Lights: Although daytime running lights are already common in new cars, in heavy rainfall it is advisable to use the dipped ones (not the fog lights, which produce reflections). Learn how to improve your car’s lighting.
- Wiper: Do the brushes squeak? Do they dirty more than they clean? Try these tips and, if it doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to change them. It is a simple process and they are not usually very expensive, since although they are not used much, the rubber usually dries out and loses effectiveness. Also check the windshield wiper fluid reservoir often.
- Crystals: In situations of poor visibility is when you notice more that you have not cleaned the inside of the windows well. That layer of grease makes them tarnish more easily. Here we explain how to leave the windows spotless.
- Ventilation: Check that the air conditioning system is working correctly. It will help you defog the windows.
Proper speed
They told you that in driving school. And it’s true. The speed must be adapted to the condition of the road. Also, since it looks worse, this will help you in the event of unforeseen events.
Safety distance
The car needs more distance to stop safely. From the DGT, they directly advise doubling the safety distance. With this measure, you also reduce the so-called spray effectwhich is the water spray that comes out of the rear wheels of the preceding car and further reduces visibility.
Smooth driving
Avoid abruptness both when accelerating (traction capacity is lower, you use fuel uselessly) and when braking (despite ABS, it is easier to block the wheels in the rain).
You must also take this into account when making turns. When you are approaching the curve, anticipate the braking and complete it with the straightest direction possible so that you avoid lateral inertia. This also applies to changing lanes and changing gears: if you are abrupt, you send more torque to the wheels, which do not have as much grip as in the dry and could cause you to skid.
Special danger areas
There are places where you have to be especially careful when driving in the wet:
- Paint: The paint that marks the boundaries of the road and lanes is especially delicate, especially for motorcycles. Also with other horizontal signs and pedestrian crossings, although these now have special paint so that they have more grip in the wet.
- Leaves: According to this study, they can be as dangerous and slippery as snow. Be careful when you have to go through them.
- puddles: You never know for sure what its depth is. You can either puncture, unmount… or get stuck (you wouldn’t be the first).
- Sewers: If the asphalt is slippery, imagine wet metal. On a motorcycle, even more caution.
- Curve banking: Water trails form in them.
- Underground parking: It doesn’t rain inside, but its pavement (usually painted resin) is very slippery when it gets wet, because cars enter with wet tires. And there are pedestrians hanging around.
Increase rest
With conditions of lower visibility, you have to be more attentive when driving. There are experts who even recommend turning off the music. The more stress, the more tired, especially on long trips. Make your stops more frequent.
Visibility
In addition to turning on the car lights, turn on the air conditioning and direct it towards the windows to prevent them from fogging up. If your car has a climate control or heated windshield defogging function, turn it on. If you do not have air conditioning, opening the window a little helps to balance the inside temperature with that of the outside and prevent fog.
It is important to note that The higher the speed, the more rain will fall on the windshield. and our visibility will be reduced. So we go back to point 1: slow down.
First drops
The most dangerous rain is the initial one. The first drops combine with dust, traces of oil and grease and with that slippery film on it, it is the moment when the road is most slippery. Then, with more abundant rain, the road is cleaned and the grip is somewhat greater.
heavy rain
When the precipitation is such that you can’t see anything, it is best to momentarily withdraw from the circulation waiting for the clearing to one side. If you pull over, turn on your emergency lights so other road users can see you.
If it is not possible to stop, reduce speed and, in these situations, it is good to follow the track of the car in front. The tires dry out the road as they pass, so you make sure you go on the driest area of the road.
Aquaplaning
Going through a 3 cm deep puddle at 50 km/h can cause a splash. That same puddle, crossed at more than 100 km/h, can cause the dreaded aquaplaning to occur. What’s that? That the wheels do not adhere to the road and the tires float in water…until you find asphalt again. If you notice it, don’t brake, just lift your foot off the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly until you feel grip on the wheels again.
Security systems in your car
For years, all new cars have had the anti-lock braking system, ABS, and stability control, ESP. These systems are of great help in rain, but by themselves they do not solve delicate situations. I take into account
If you have cruise control connected, remove it: if aquaplaning occurs (occurs when the wheels do not evacuate the water present on the ground and lose grip), it is better to have full control of the car. Drive gently, don’t step on the brake, and hold the steering wheel firmly.
(NOTE: Article originally published on 10/15/2014, expanded and updated)
