Tips for good visibility in rain

Rain is one of the phenomena that most increases the risk of having an accident, so we leave you some tips to maintain good visibility in rain.

Rain is a weather phenomenon we will have to get used to in the coming months, and it is also one of those that has the greatest influence on driving. The largest number of accidents in winter occur when it is raining, since the risk of having an accident increases by 70%.

One of the explanations is that drivers take more care to avoid losing grip than because visibility is not the same. This is a serious mistake, since the latter is the main cause of accidents in the rain

How does rain affect visibility?

There are three main causes that explain the lack of visibility. First, when it rains, the sky is covered with clouds, so the ambient light is lower.

It also changes the visual environment for drivers, which is especially noticeable at night. Water acts as a filter on the light beams projected by the headlights, so the light reflected on the road decreases. In addition, it reduces the reflectance of the markings painted on the asphalt and can even alter the visual perception of certain surfaces.

However, the most dangerous effect of rain is that it can impair the driver’s ability to see through the windscreen. The windscreen is the lens through which we see the outside and, when it rains, it fills with drops that reduce visibility, so the result is similar to when our glasses get wet.

In addition, this distortion effect increases when there is some kind of damage to the windscreen, such as a crack, for example. All these factors mean that the driver has to focus their attention a few metres further ahead than they normally would, so the ability to anticipate is considerably reduced.

Tips for not losing visibility when it rains

Check that your windscreen is in perfect condition

It is essential to keep the windscreen in perfect condition, which should be completely logical. However, 60% of drivers do not check that their windscreen is in full working order.

Change the windscreen wiper blades

Windscreen wipers are our saviours when it rains, since their blades are what clear the water off the glass and allow us to see through the windscreen. If they are not in good condition, they do not clear the water properly, so they do not do their job correctly. After summer, the rubber often dries out, so it is advisable to check them at this time of year and, if they are not in perfect condition, replace them.

Keep the windows clean

When it is raining, the windscreen and side windows often mist up. In this case, the recommended technique is to set the car’s climate control system to the function that directs air to the windscreen and activate recirculation. This task becomes harder if the windows are dirty, so it is important to keep them always clean in order to see properly in the mirrors and to be able to demist them quickly.

Always keep your lights on

Keeping the dipped headlights on so that you can see and be seen is essential when it rains. In addition, if the rain is very heavy, it is important to switch on the rear fog lights and turn them off once it eases a little. Also, high beams should not be used in this situation, as dazzling other drivers is even more dangerous when water is falling.

Look carefully at the road surface

When it rains, it is important to keep an eye on the road, as this allows us to anticipate puddles that could cause aquaplaning. If we approach one and have no chance of avoiding it, it is important not to make sudden manoeuvres and to grip the steering wheel firmly. If you want to find out more about how to act in these cases, we leave you the report from our colleagues at Highmotor on how to act if you experience aquaplaning and what to do to avoid it.

Increase the safety distance

When it rains, it is important to increase the safety distance, not only to have more reaction time in case the car in front brakes suddenly, but also so that we stay out of the wake of water it throws up behind it. In addition, it is important to watch the car in front so we can anticipate the movements we will need to make ourselves.

If visibility is poor, stop in a safe place

If the rain is so heavy that it makes proper visibility impossible, the best advice is to stop in a safe place and wait for the intensity of the rain to ease.

If you found these tips useful, don’t miss our tips for driving in the rain or our tips for keeping your car in good condition and well maintained in autumn.