No one really likes driving in the heavy rain, it’s usually cold, and uncomfortable, and you get a little wet in the process. But it’s not just about these annoying inconveniences, it’s something that’s pretty dangerous too, and yeah, it’s far from new that this could cause bad car accidents.
Just think about it, the roads turn slick, visibility drops, and suddenly, even the simplest journey feels like you’re auditioning for a car chase scene. It’s even worse when it’s dark outside. But here’s the thing; most accidents in rainy weather aren’t caused by the rain itself (yes, it’s a hard pill to swallow). But they’re actually caused by preventable mistakes drivers make. Some of these errors might even surprise you.
Blinding Everyone With High Beams
There’s a natural instinct to crank up the brightness when visibility gets rough in bad weather. Yes, it’s understandable, but it’s basically Drivers Ed 101 you’re not supposed to do that. No, really, using high beams in heavy rain is like shining a flashlight into a mirror. You just end up blinding yourself and everyone else. The light bounces off the raindrops and creates a glaring wall of white, making it even harder to see the road ahead. You don’t like it when others do that to you right?
Instead, it’s time to work smarter, not brighter. For example, it can really help if you looked into upgrading to something like an H11 headlight bulb if you need something bright (but something that obviously shouldn’t be as bright as high beams). These bulbs offer clear, focused light that cuts through rain without the blinding side effects of high beams. They’re practical, and honestly, your fellow drivers will thank you.
Underestimating the Power of Puddles
A puddle might look innocent, but it’s basically a wet wildcard. But how? Well, for example, if you hit one too fast, you could end up hydroplaning, and some puddles are potholes (and those do so much damage.
Cruise Control
Again this is something that’s taught during theory before driver lessons, but it’s still something people make mistakes. If you’re doing a long-distance drive, it’s super understandable to want to use cruise control. But in the rain (or when wet) you shouldn’t.
When tyres hit a slick spot or a patch of water, cruise control keeps the speed steady instead of adapting to the conditions. The car can accelerate at the worst possible moment, making it much harder to regain control.
Taking Corners Like It’s Sunny
Needless to say, rain and sharp turns don’t mix. Roads get extra slippery, especially in the first few minutes of a downpour when oil and water combine into a greasy mess. Even if it’s not raining, but wet, that’s bad too. Just taking a corner too quickly can send your car sliding across lanes or worse, spinning out completely. Seriously, slowing down isn’t enough! You need to approach turns smoothly.
Ignoring Fogged-Up Windows
Foggy windows are more than just a minor annoyance when it’s cold and rainy, right? Well, in heavy rain, they can completely block your view and make navigating even a straight road a challenge. Some drivers rely on trial-and-error guessing, but that’s not exactly safe, is it?
Use your car’s defrost function properly. Some people will even pair it with air conditioning since this clears up the fog faster by pulling moisture out of the air.