Hello, crazy rains! Here are 10 important road safety tips to remember when driving this rainy season:
- Check the weather before heading out. The weather may be unpredictable but you should still stay updated with the advisory. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s okay to postpone an appointment because of heavy rains. It is also a good habit to check if you returned your umbrella to your car.
- Make sure your car is in good condition. There’s no telling what can happen during inclement weather, so it’s advisable to check the condition of your car before venturing out. Make sure your head and taillights are working, and that the brakes, turn signals, and windshield wipers aren’t faulty. Ensure that tires your tires are properly inflated and not too worn out. Also be sure that you have the following in your trunk: your spare tire, jumper cables, tools, early warning device, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
- Always wear your seatbelt. It’s important to wear your seatbelt when driving in good weather, and it’s even more crucial when it’s bad. Plus, it’s the law.
- Make sure your headlights are on. Visibility is low when it’s raining so make sure that other drivers see you when you’re out on the road. Remember: headlights and NOT hazard lights.
- Go slow. Roads are slippery when wet, which means that vehicles will have less traction and be harder to control when it’s raining. This is called hydroplaning and is caused by a combination of water on the road, vehicle speed, and under-inflated or worn-out tires. Be cautious and drive slower than you normally would and always stay within, even lower, the speed limit.
- Give each driver space. 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.
- Don’t enter flooded roads. It’s hard to tell how flooded these areas are and it may end up damaging your car. You have been informed.
- Stay alert. This is not the time to be distracted. Be fully present when you’re driving and watch out for floods, pedestrians, and other vehicles. RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Actis real. Read more about it here.
- Pull over when needed. Find a safe spot and wait for the rain to subside if it’s pouring too strong. Yes, you need to go somewhere, but your safety is more important. Coffee is (almost) always a good idea, too.
- Make sure you have enough gas. 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. The last thing you need is stressing over the empty fuel warning light.
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