Simple but extremely important tips for driving in the rain at night
Driving at night in the rain is very dangerous because of limited visibility, wet and slippery roads. However, there are simple tips for driving safely in these conditions that not everyone knows.
Driving at night, when the light is low and the rain causes limited visibility, there are many potential risks that cause unsafety on the road. However, whether we like it or not, we still have to experience driving in these conditions, especially in the current rainy season.
Mr. Hoang Van Tan - Driving instructor in Long Bien district (Hanoi) said: "Driving at night or in the dark is more complicated than during the day because the light is weak, it is difficult to observe, the body is easily tired, if it rains, it is very dangerous because there will be many unfavorable factors for the driver".
According to this expert with many years of experience "holding the steering wheel", driving at night and in the rain, in addition to requiring the vehicle to be in good technical condition, the driver also needs to concentrate highly and pay attention to the following experiences:
Turn on the lighting with the appropriate mode
Rain at night significantly reduces visibility and turning on all lights, including fog lights, is mandatory to help drivers see the road more easily and help other vehicles recognize them more easily.
Mr. Tan noted that when driving on long roads or steep mountain passes, the headlights should be switched to high beam mode. This will help the driver have good visibility and increase vehicle recognition. However, when meeting an oncoming vehicle or following another vehicle, the driver must switch to low beam mode.
Although there is still much controversy, this driving instructor believes that when it rains heavily, you should still turn on the hazard lights (the hazard lights flashing on both sides of the turn signals) because this type of light helps to increase the vehicle's visibility.
Always pay attention
When driving in the rain at night, observation skills are the most important for drivers. When it rains, the road is slippery, and obstacles can suddenly appear. If you do not focus on observing and reacting to the situation in time, accidents are very likely to happen.
To have good visibility at night, drivers need to clean and thoroughly clean the windshield, windows and rearview mirrors; at the same time, they should turn on the windshield defroster and set the air conditioner temperature to a suitable level to avoid moisture build-up that can fog up the windshield.
Reduce speed, increase safe distance, limit sudden braking
Mr. Tan also said that when driving in the rain and with limited visibility, the vehicle speed should be maintained slower than normal conditions by about 5-15 km/h to ensure safety. This is reasonable because when the road is slippery, the effective braking distance of the vehicle will be greater due to reduced friction. In such conditions, drivers should limit sudden braking because reduced friction can cause your vehicle to lose control, spin or be at risk of being hit by the vehicle behind.
Instead of braking suddenly, drivers need to proactively observe and brake early to reduce risks. When following another vehicle, drivers also need to keep a larger distance from the vehicle in front. This gives you enough time and helps avoid a series of accidents when the vehicle in front stops suddenly.
Use lower numbers than usual
Similar to maintaining a lower speed than normal, you should use a lower gear when traveling at night and in the rain. Because, when driving in a lower gear, the car will grip the road better, and at the same time, it will help you easily accelerate when necessary.
Using low gears also helps increase the engine's traction to the wheels, making it easier for the vehicle to overcome flooded areas. For new vehicles that have the function of driving in rainy and slippery conditions, this mode should be used to ensure safety.
"Stay away" from big vehicles
A "hard-won" piece of advice from this expert when driving on the road is not to drive close to or parallel to large vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and containers because these vehicles have many "blind spots", making it even more difficult to see when it rains and is dark.
Driving too close or not passing quickly can cause your car to be crushed or even dragged under a large vehicle, which is very dangerous. Therefore, you should stay away from these types of vehicles or at least avoid going into blind spots that can be dangerous for you.
Drive in the right lane, "tailgate" other vehicles in heavy rain
Driving in the rain at night, especially on mountain passes, is always many times more dangerous. One experience is to always drive in the correct lane (correctly painted lines) and try to drive near the center of the road because this is usually the safest and highest position.
In addition, when driving on the highway in heavy rain, the experience of "veteran drivers" is to be able to follow behind and keep a safe distance from a car in front. This makes it very easy for the driver to drive because the car in front is like a "navigator", leading the way, helping us predict curves, potholes or obstacles on the road to avoid.
