Tips for driving in the rain

To drive in the rain you need to be extremely cautious, which is why we offer you these tips to keep in mind when weather conditions are adverse.

In the coming hours, three quarters of the peninsula will face a risk of rain, storms and may even see heavy hailstorms. So that it doesn’t catch you by surprise, we have created this special feature with tips for driving in the rain. Before getting behind the wheel with such a high risk of precipitation, bear in mind that these first rains are the most dangerous, because after a long spell without them, journeys become much more hazardous.

The road surface is dirty from the dryness of the summer, and this, added to possible traces of oil or fuel from vehicles, can cause a serious scare, and we don’t want to think about a possible accident. What should you do when there is a risk of rain in summer?

What should you do before driving in the rain?

Before setting off, the DGT recommends taking extra precautions. Before getting into the vehicle, you should clean the windows, because after a whole summer of stifling heat, travel, beach trips, etc., visibility may have been affected. Once the windows are clean, you should switch on the lights, even in daylight, “to see and be seen”, and increase your safety distance. You should also check the condition of the windscreen wiper blades.

As we have mentioned, asphalt is now much more dangerous, which can reduce tyre grip. It is important to note that, according to the Directorate-General for Traffic, rain is the most common weather condition in our country and the one that causes the most accidents. To avoid them, it is recommended that you follow these simple tips.

When the vehicle does not have ABS, the brakes should be used with extreme gentleness, modulating the pressure on the pedal to avoid a possible skid. Otherwise, if the car does have ABS, you can press the pedal fully in an emergency. If the windows start to mist up during the journey, the ideal is to switch on the heater or air conditioning system and point the air vent at the windscreen, so you won’t lose visibility.

The condition of the shock absorbers is always essential for driving our vehicle safely, but it is even more so when driving in the rain. Shock absorbers are key to the car’s behaviour, controlling body movements and providing the precise steering feel that keeps the front and rear axles gripping without loss of adhesion. Worn shock absorbers will not hold the body firmly enough to prevent the vertical and lateral movements that can alter the line, nor will they allow an adequate reaction to a manoeuvre, even with the help of electronic stability control (ESP), which is mandatory on all cars sold today.

The white paint that marks the edges of the road and the division between lanes is especially slippery in the rain, particularly for motorcycles. Try not to run over it with the car or motorcycle leaning, with the steering turned, or while accelerating with the driving wheels on top of the white road lines. Also be careful with pedestrian crossings, where the same applies: although the paint used today has more grip, it remains treacherous in the wet.

Rain, especially the first drops, also reduces tyre grip because of the dust, grease, etc. that builds up on the road day after day, and which creates a dangerous, very slippery ‘sludge’ on the asphalt. It can even cause the feared aquaplaning, in which the car ‘floats’ on the road with no grip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izxG2syHCM&feature=youtu.be

What should you do if the rain catches you unawares?

• Adapt your speed to the road surface
• Increase your safety distance
• Keep your tyres in perfect condition
• Avoid sudden braking
• Always keep your lights on
• Make manoeuvres smoothly
• Make sure the heater is working properly
• Check that the windscreen wipers are working properly

The braking distance increases considerably: at 50 km/h it can double, while at 120 km/h the vehicle would need more than 115 metres to stop completely. It is important to remember that you are in a situation that calls for extra caution. These recommendations will help you face driving in the rain calmly.

Driving in adverse weather conditions increases fatigue, so it is important to stay calm and exercise extra prudence.

What is aquaplaning?

The feared aquaplaning occurs when, in heavy rain, the tyre loses grip on the road surface, causing a loss of control of the car. To avoid taking risks in this kind of situation, it is important to stay calm, ease off the accelerator gently, not press the brake pedal, and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

When the road surface loses its ability to drain or when rainfall is heavy, a film of water builds up too deeply for the tyres to be able to clear it as they pass over. This is when aquaplaning can occur, with the wheels sliding on top of the accumulated water. The faster you go, the greater the risk of suffering it. If it happens, you will notice the steering start to feel light, and the first thing to do will be to reduce your speed. Do not react by using the brakes; instead, lift off the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly. Do not change the direction of the steering wheel until you feel the wheels regain grip.

Although motorways are designed, through the quality of their surface and their layout, so that these situations do not arise, it is important to know how to act should weather conditions be so severe that they affect the road. It is also important to educate drivers and share techniques and tips so that they know how to handle this kind of situation on an ordinary road. There are driving courses using your own car to learn what to do when faced with adverse weather; nevertheless, if you follow these tips and keep calm, the situation will be fully under control and you will be able to reach your destination without any scare.