One of the worst things that can happen while driving is getting caught in heavy rain. Rain can make your visibility very poor, and if you don't know how to drive safely in the rain, you could end up in an accident or worse. Here are some tips for driving in the rain to help you get to your destination safely:
Tips Berkendara Aman saat Hujan Deras
The weather can often be unpredictable, so as a driver, you are required to be more alert and responsive when facing various types of weather, including heavy rain. Well, for those of you who have high mobility, here are 7 things you can do when heavy rain occurs on the road:
1. Reduce Speed
The first safe driving tip during rain is not to drive at high speeds in bad weather. The presence of puddles on the roads will increase the risk of flat tires, to the occurrence of aquaplaning or loss of tire grip on the lane being passed.
Reducing Speed When Driving in Heavy RainPhoto by Claude Gabriel – Unsplash)
Heavy rainfall often worsens visibility and visibility for drivers. Reducing speed when it is raining heavily can help you see the surrounding situation, so you can be more careful in choosing lanes and avoid unwanted things. Reportedly from several sources, the safest speed in bad weather is 50-60 km/h.
2. Maintain a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles
The next thing that must be done when it is raining heavily is to keep a safe distance from the vehicles around you. By slowing down your car, it will certainly be very effective to maintain a safe distance between cars.
Create a Safe Distance Between CarsPhoto by Nate Johnston – Unsplash)
The safe car distance when it is raining heavily is a distance that is sufficient to give you enough space to stop if an accident occurs in front of you. Try to maintain a distance of at least 6-8 seconds (50-60 meters) from the vehicle in front of you to provide enough space for reaction and reduce the risk of accidents.
Don't hesitate to change the distance if the situation requires it, such as if there are deep puddles or if the road conditions change. This safe driving tip in the rain is quite effective in helping drivers avoid traffic accidents.
3. Turn on the Lights
The next safe driving tip in the rain is to turn on the lights when on the road. Turning on car lights when it is raining heavily is very important because it helps you and other drivers to see the road and reduce the risk of accidents. You are also advised to use high beams to give a sign of your existence to other drivers on the road.
Turning on Car Lights When it is Raining .Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani – Unsplash)
Turning on your car lights when it is raining heavily will increase your awareness of your surroundings, so you can react more quickly to unsafe situations. Don't forget to turn on your turn signals when turning or changing lanes.
4. Avoid Puddles
Did you know that when a car passes through puddles, it will affect the damage to the car's suspension and other components such as the cooling system and transmission. In addition, deep puddles can cause the vehicle to lose contact with the road and cause accidents.
Avoid Crossing Puddles .Photo by Shaquon Gibson – Unsplash)
Water entering the car engine can potentially damage the water circulation system such as the radiator and water pump, which will damage the car engine and cause overheating. This safe driving tip in the rain is also quite effective in reducing the risk of single accidents on the road.
5. Do Not Turn on Hazard Lights
There are still many people who misunderstand the use of hazard lights when it is raining heavily. Did you know that the function of hazard lights is to give a sign that the car is stopped?
Do Not Use Car Hazard Lights .Photo by Erik Mclean – Pexels)
It is written in Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning LLAJ, Article 121 paragraph 1, that the use of hazard lights is only allowed as a sign of an emergency or to indicate that the car is stopped. In addition, using hazard lights will also interfere with the function of the car's turn signals.
Turning on hazard lights when it is raining heavily will certainly confuse the drivers behind you. Not infrequently, the light from the hazard lights can actually dazzle other drivers and potentially cause accidents.
Baca juga: Nah Ini Dia Fungsi Lampu Hazard Yang Tepat
6. Adjust the Car AC Temperature
Adjust Car AC Temperature .Photo by Hiphotos35 – iStock)
One of the next safe driving tips in the rain is to adjust the AC temperature. To maintain driving comfort when it is raining heavily, you can readjust the AC temperature in the car to be higher. In cold weather, the air inside the car that is warmer than the outside air will cause water vapor condensation inside the car, which can cause the car windows to become foggy or fogged up.
7. Avoid Sudden Braking
Avoid Sudden Braking .Photo by Wachira Aekwiraphong – iStock)
The last safe driving tip in the rain is to avoid sudden braking as much as possible. You need to know that sudden braking when the weather is raining heavily can cause several dangers such as aquaplaning, the car slipping, and the worst is a chain accident. Aquaplaning, mobil tergelincir, dan yang terparah adalah kecelakaan beruntun.
To avoid this danger, it is important to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, reduce your speed when driving on wet roads, and brake slowly in heavy rain.