Nothing defines summer than rain which instantly gets our roads wet, slippery, muddy and at times impassable.
What we all thought was going to be a summer of rain here and there, along with some sunlight has seen us endure rain every other day of the week.
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 to 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 during the rainy season even if they are 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 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 a 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 see the intention of each driver in the road safety infrastructure they share at that point in time.
Pay attention & 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 has denied speeding drivers absolute control of their vehicles. They have had their vehicles rolling over, veering off the courseway and facing oncoming traffic. Understand that in such circumstances anything is possible, from minor, moderate, severe and fatal injuries. Lots of lives and atrocious body injuries would have been saved 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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