Nothing announces summer quicker than the first fall of rain which instantly gets our roads wet, slippery, muddy and, at times, impassable. Quite certainly, driving under such weather -tainted conditions is much difficult than manoeuvring on a dry road surface.
The most experienced and seasoned of drivers have slipped, lost control and even succumbed to death due an unforeseen change of weather and subsequently a difficult terrain in which to wrangle with a vehicle on. For that reason, it is imperative that all road users pay special attention when they use the road on rainy season even if they were pedestrians.
That umbrella covering the lady crossing the rain may actually expose her to being hit by a speeding vehicle she had not seen coming. A passenger alighting from a vehicle may run across from rain drops and fail to heed oncoming traffic. Everyone, therefore, should take extra caution each time they are on the road and it is raining.
Equip your car for the rain
Traction on the road surface is quicker and easier when the road is dry, but extremely difficult when it is wet or even muddy. Motorists must ensure at all times, therefore, that their vehicles have good and balanced tyres that can hold and grip in such situations. Smooth tyres are a hazard in the event a driver is called upon to effect a sudden braking because the vehicle will stop further than it had been intended to. It is as much important to pay attention to mechanical faults such as poor braking system, lights and wipers. While all these things may be taken for granted in sunny weather, they will compromise the safety of the driver and all other road users in the vicinity where such an ill-equipped vehicle is driven. Checking and fixing of same will not only make driving under the rain easier for the driver, but it will effectively help other road users and the intention of each driver in the road safety infrastructure they share at that point in time.
Pay attention and kill your speed
Of all erratic behaviours drivers may indulge in, none exposes them like excessive speed at an inopportune of places. The rain, with puddles of water trapped on the road or flowing across have denied speeding drivers absolute control of their vehicles. They have had their vehicles rolling over, veering off the courseway and face oncoming traffic and understand that in such circumstances anything is possible from minor, moderate, severe and fatality injuries. Lots of lives and atrocious body injuries would have been saved and avoided if drivers were to employ cautious speed, especially in the rain when their vision would be compromised due to snow, fog, torrents of rain drops etc.
Speed has caused rear smashes, collisions and failing to spot and appropriately react to any imposed hazard. Often times, everyone would blame the rain instead of the driver who did not mind their speed, recklessness and inconsiderate driving while weather had compromised the traffic space. More importantly, drivers should never attempt to cross flooded bridges and rivers, they may be swept away.
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