What precautions should be taken when driving in cold, rainy weather?

There are many things to keep in mind when driving in rain or fog. Photo: Van Tien

The difficulties of driving in cold, rainy weather.

The windshield is foggy.

In rainy weather or during cold, humid winter months, car windows often fog up, limiting the driver's visibility. Water droplets condense on the windshield and side mirrors, making it difficult for the driver to see the road ahead.

This is a common problem that many drivers complain about when driving in the freezing winter, in rainy weather, or in dense fog.

To remedy a foggy windshield, drivers should activate the defroster (if available), the wipers, and turn on the air conditioning.

Note that windshield wipers are considered an important part of a car, especially when driving in bad weather such as rain, humidity, or fog.

Therefore, car owners need to pay attention to and regularly check their windshield wipers to promptly address any malfunctions such as worn blades, poor performance, or complete failure to operate, ensuring optimal visibility. Typically, car owners should replace their car's windshield wipers every six months.

Fog frequently appears on roads in mountainous areas. Photo: Minh Nguyen

Cars are difficult to start in cold, rainy weather.

When temperatures drop, the car's valves or relays cool down, making it difficult to start the vehicle. According to experienced drivers, car owners should avoid leaving their vehicles in cold environments for too long, and should occasionally start the engine even when not in use.

Additionally, car owners should consider purchasing a jump starter in case their car has difficulty starting in cold, rainy weather.

The battery is dead.

A car breaking down in the middle of the road due to a dead battery is not uncommon. However, this situation occurs particularly more frequently during winter, summer, and the rainy season.

During these times, car batteries consume more energy because the air conditioning, heating, lights, and other features are used more frequently. Therefore, before setting off, check the battery to proactively recharge your vehicle.

Tips for safe driving in cold and rainy weather.

In Vietnam, during the winter months, temperatures drop due to cold, rainy weather, resulting in a higher volume of cars on the roads compared to normal times.

With limited infrastructure, crowded streets, and reduced visibility due to the cold rain, drivers need to maintain a high level of concentration behind the wheel to ensure safety.

Inspect your vehicle thoroughly before departure.

Car owners should not be complacent and skip the pre-departure vehicle inspection. Checking the windshield wipers, air conditioning system, lights, horn, and battery will help drivers be more prepared in any situation.

Control your speed when driving.

These days, the weather in the northern region is starting to get cold with rain and chill. When driving in rainy and cold weather, on slippery roads, and potentially in heavy traffic, drivers need to maintain good speed control.

To avoid unnecessary collisions, you should drive at a moderate speed and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front to allow time to react to any unforeseen situations.

When it rains and gets dark, drivers should switch to low beam headlights for better visibility and to avoid dazzling oncoming vehicles, thus preventing unfortunate accidents.

Strictly abide by traffic laws.

Be a responsible and courteous road user, strictly adhering to traffic laws to ensure safety for yourself and everyone around you. When stopping, turning, or changing lanes, drivers should carefully observe the situation and signal for a sufficient amount of time so that vehicles behind can recognize their signal.