10 Tips for Driving on Wet Roads
It’s the rainy season in Trinidad & Tobago. Good news for plants… but bad news for drivers. Wet roads, low visibility and the possibility that the puddle ahead may be deeper than you think all make for dangerous driving conditions. That’s why it’s important to make sure that both you and your car are rainy season ready. So what can you do to stay safe?
Check Your Windshield Wipers
Safety starts before you even start driving. Wipers that leave streaks on your windscreen are going to make it even harder to see in a downpour. Wiper blades should be replaced every six to twelve months, or as soon as you notice a change in visibility.
Maintain Your Tyres
Tyre tread is always important but especially when driving in rain. Bald tyres – that is tyres that look as if the tread has been worn away – are more likely to slip or skid in wet conditions.
Slow Down
Yes, it’s obvious. But did you know that you should slow down even in a light drizzle? Even a small amount of water can mix with oil on the road, making it easier for your car to slide. Besides, even good tyres will have reduced traction in the rain; slowing down will make skidding less likely.
Keep Your Distance
Wet roads and wet brakes = potential accidents. Leave a five-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front so that you have enough time to slow down if you need it.
Keep Both Hands on the Wheel
In wet weather, it’s important that you’re in full control of your car. We know that you really want a sip of coffee and you only have to release the wheel for thirty seconds to grab your cup. But an incident can happen at any moment and you’re more likely to react safely if you’ve got a good grip of the wheel.
Use Headlights
In heavy rain, visibility drops drastically. Even during the day, turning on your headlights helps you see – and be seen – more clearly.
Avoid Standing Water
Deep water can seriously damage your car’s electrical system. You could stall. You could lose traction and skid, maybe even crashing. You could splash other drivers and impair their vision. And you have no idea how deep the water actually is. All reasons to drive around that big pool of water.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Hydroplaning happens if a layer of water builds up between your tyres and the road, leading to a loss of traction. If this happens, ease off the gas, gently tap the brakes and drive in the direction you want to go. Don’t jerk the wheel sharply and don’t stomp on the brakes.
Don’t Drive
If the weather is particularly nasty, it may be best to wait until it improves. Yes, we know you passed your driving test (or we hope so) and you may even have been driving for years. But safety should still be your number one priority.
Pro tip: To get weather updates in T&T – including alerts on bad weather – download the Local app.
Make Sure You’re Insured
Even with all these precautions, accidents can still happen. That’s why having proper car insurance matters. Review your policy regularly and make sure it covers things like personal accident benefit, roadside assistance, and flood-related claims if you live in a rainy area.
