Posted by Love it or hate it, driving in the rain is something which many people can’t avoid. Okay, so maybe in California we don’t have to put with it as much as some other parts of the world but in one way that makes things far worse – we don’t get as much practice at driving in the rain.
You may be able to get away with some bad driving habits on a bone dry road with plenty of grip and traction but it could be a completely different story as the rain pounds from the sky and the road quickly becomes water-logged – in these conditions those bad driving habits can be extremely dangerous yet very difficult to break.
Keep away from the side of the highway – you may not have much choice on a very narrow road but, just in case you didn’t know, highways are constructed to be higher in the center than they are on the sides, it may not be much of a difference but a difference there will surely be. This is so that the rain runs from the “hump” in the center towards the side of the road. Whenever you drive in the rain you need to avoid standing water – and where will the most standing water be? You’ve guessed it, at the side of the road.
Don’t dazzle oncoming traffic with your headlights – that can be dangerous, on the other hand you do need to have your headlights on to keep you safe. High beam scan dazzle the other drivers so beware of that, but even in light drizzling rain a low beam can help you to see where you are going and help oncoming drivers to be aware of your presence on the road.
Don’t drive if you can’t see – okay, it may sound like a no-brainer but you’d be amazed at how many people drive along “blind” when the rain is lashing so hard on their windshield that the wipers can’t cope. If you can’t see the road ahead how do you know what’s going on – there could be another vehicle stopped in the road, there could be pedestrians, there could be a cyclist trying to find the side of the road. If the visibility is so bad that you can’t see through the gushing water then stop, even if you know the road like the back of your hand – stop as soon as you find a safe place and pull over until the rain eases off a little. Listen to the radio, chat with your Mom on your cell phone or try talking to the person sitting in the passenger seat. Just stop until it is safe to carry on.
Don’t attempt to drive through flowing water – if water is flooding across the road and you can’t see how deep it is then don’t take the risk. Every single year a remarkable number of hapless motorists get caught out by attempting to forge a shallow stream which turns out to be quite a bit deeper than they anticipated. Some cars can get swept away with the current in extreme circumstances. Wait it out or find an alternative route – surely waiting for a half hour or more is better than risking your life and limb.
At Temecula Nissan they have a good choice of new and used vehicles which are quite capable of driving safely through the rain – if you are. Check out the fabulous choices at Metro Nissan Redlands and choose your favorite. It’s important to drive safely all of the time – come rain or shine.
For GREAT deals on a new or used Alfa Romeo check out Champion Alfa Romeo TODAY!