Here are some precautions you should take while driving in the rainy season.

Before you drive:

• Check your car: Rainy weather puts extra strain on your vehicle’s systems. Ensure your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and windshield wipers are all functioning flawlessly. Wiper blades that are worn or cracked won’t effectively clear rain, so consider replacing them if necessary. Check your tire tread depth and inflation pressure according to your car’s manual. Proper tire pressure improves handling and reduces the risk of hydroplaning.

• Plan your trip: If possible, consult the weather forecast and avoid driving during periods of torrential downpour. Even if the rain seems manageable when you start, weather conditions can change quickly. If driving is unavoidable during rain, allow extra time to reach your destination. Rushing increases stress and can lead to poor decision-making behind the wheel.

While driving:

• Slow down: Wet roads have significantly reduced traction compared to dry roads. It takes longer for your car to come to a complete stop on a wet surface. Adjust your speed considerably below the posted limit. Remember, stopping distances can double or even triple in rainy weather.

• Increase following distance: When driving in the rain, it’s crucial to maintain a much larger following distance than usual. This buffer zone provides extra time to react to sudden stops or slowdowns from the car in front of you. A safe following distance in good weather conditions is typically the length of two or three car lengths. In rainy weather, double or even triple that distance to give yourself ample room to maneuver safely.

• Turn on headlights: Even during daylight hours when there’s rain, turn on your headlights. This improves your car’s visibility to other drivers on the road, especially when visibility is reduced due to rain or spray from passing vehicles.

• Avoid harsh maneuvers: Braking, accelerating, and turning should all be done smoothly and gradually to prevent hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires lose traction and ride on a layer of water on the road surface instead of gripping the road itself. This can cause a loss of control of the vehicle.

• Be aware of surroundings: Pay close attention to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists who may be even harder to see in the rain due to their smaller profile and potential lack of proper rain gear. Watch out for flooded areas that may be difficult to identify due to the rain obscuring the road. Be extra cautious of debris on the road washed up by rain, such as leaves or branches.

• Defog your windows: Rain combined with humidity inside the car can quickly lead to fogged-up windows. Use your car’s defroster system to maintain clear visibility inside the vehicle. Consider keeping a microfiber cloth on hand to wipe condensation from the inside of the windshield for an even clearer view.

• Don’t use cruise control: Cruise control can be a dangerous feature to use in wet conditions. If your car hits a patch of standing water while on cruise control, it may not deactivate automatically, which can lead to hydroplaning and a loss of control.

• Avoid driving through flooded areas: If you encounter a flooded road, do not attempt to drive through it. The depth of the water may be difficult to judge, and there’s a high risk of stalling your car or being swept away by strong currents. Turn around and find another route, even if it means going out of your way.

• Pull over if necessary: If the rain becomes too heavy and visibility deteriorates significantly, pull over to a safe location out of traffic and wait for the weather to improve. Continuing to drive in hazardous conditions is not worth the risk to yourself and others on the road.

These tips will help you remain safe in the rainy seasons and avoid any mishaps on the roads.