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There’s no two ways about it – driving in the rain can be hazardous to your health. Even if safe driving is something you’re proud to practice daily, adverse weather significantly increases every driver’s risk of being involved in an accident.
On the plus side, there’s also plenty every motorist can and should be doing to keep themselves and everyone else safe.
A few common-sense driving habits, with the potential to make the roads a safer place for all drivers:
1. Wait Until the Weather Improves
For example, avoiding driving entirely until the weather improves is the best way to stay safe. Unless you absolutely need to get behind the wheel in hazardous conditions, consider delaying your journey until things improve.
2. Check the condition of your car
This is actually something you should be doing on a regular basis – not simply to keep you safe when driving in the rain. From tyre pressures to fluid levels to brakes to windscreen wipers, you owe it to yourself and everyone else on the roads to keep tabs on the condition of your car. If not, you’re opening the door to potential disaster, each and every time you drive.
3. Concentrate and drive slowly
Allowing your concentration to slip while driving is never a good idea. Though it can be particularly hazardous to your health when driving in adverse weather conditions. Not only should you be keeping your eyes fixed firmly on the road at all times, but slowing things down significantly is also essential. Try to set off early, in order to avoid the temptation to rush.
4. Keep your headlights on at all times
Even if it’s not a formal legal requirement, keeping your headlights on at all times while driving in the rain is simple common sense. You need to make yourself as visible as possible to the drivers around you, while at the same time illuminating the road ahead.
5. Avoid aggressive driving
This covers all types of aggressive driving – taking corners too quickly, accelerating aggressively, breaking sharply and so on. These are all the kinds of things that significantly elevate the risk of being involved in an accident. Irrespective of how late you are or the kind of mood you’re in, keep things as calm and cool as you possibly can.
6. Consider specialist driving tuition
Last up, a specialist course of refresher driving lessons could be just the thing for those who lack confidence behind the wheel. If you find the prospect of driving in the rain daunting, consider getting back behind the wheel with an experienced instructor to boost your confidence.
For more information on the benefits of refresher driving lessons or to discuss good practice on driving in adverse weather conditions in more detail, contact a member of the team at Manchester Driver Training.
