No matter how polished your driving skills are, adherence to safe driving practices is crucial at all times. On bad weather days, you need to be extra cautious. Weather conditions like rain, fog or sandstorm can impact road conditions and lower visibility. Due to an unclear view of the road and traffic, driving in bad weather conditions can put you in danger. However, you can minimise risks and avoid the danger with a few bad weather driving tips in mind.
Tips for Safe Driving in Bad Weather
Here are some tips for driving in adverse weather conditions.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Check your car thoroughly before the weather is expected to go bad. Always check if your windshield wipers and car lights are in good condition. When in doubt, plan a trip to a car repair shop for a professional inspection. The mechanic can also guide you about the improvements you can make to avoid accidents when driving a car in bad weather. In short, keep an eye on weather predictions and prepare accordingly.
Moreover, make use of car safety tips for roadside emergencies by keeping these accessories such as seatbelts and GPS navigators for safe driving in bad weather. You can buy car accessories and parts in the UAE at reasonable prices.
Drive Without Distraction
Whether the weather is good or bad; you need to focus on the road while driving. Texting behind the wheel can divert your attention from the road and increase the chances of accidents. Therefore, it is important to concentrate and not get distracted by your passenger’s phone. If you are someone who also gets distracted by music, it is best to turn it off.
Increase the Distance
Generally, there is a two-second rule you should maintain to the safe following distance. That is the distance recommended between two cars on a normal day. However, it is important to slow down and increase the distance to at least five seconds, especially when the visibility is lower and you are driving in bad weather. The distance should be even wider for larger vehicles.
Be Extra Cautious During Rains
During rain, don’t forget to check the pressure and grooves of the car’s tire. On a wet surface, the tires tend to have less grip, which further increases the risk of an accident. However, you can avoid this if you use properly inflated and good condition tires.
Be ready to respond in case of aquaplaning. In heavy rain, large puddles of water can form, so that your tires no longer have optimal grip.
Maintain the Right Speed
Drive a little below the maximum speed limit. The maximum speed limit in the UAE is 80kph in urban areas, while 100 to 160kph on the highway. If the weather is bad, make sure you accelerate slowly. Adjust your speed and do not make sudden steering movements. Keep both hands on the wheel and look far ahead. It is also smart to keep more distance from the vehicle in front of you than you normally do.
Check Tyres as Weather Is about to Change
Make sure you have good tires for your car. Also, check your car’s tire properly before the temperature rises in Dubai, because summer tires can lose their grips as the temperature drops. Furthermore, poor car wheel alignment and incorrect inflation pressures can also reduce the life of your vehicle; therefore, check before you take a car on road during bad weather conditions. If you are looking for a quality tire, buy a range of car tires online in the UAE at reasonable rates. Some of the safest cars available in the UAE include:
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Stick to Your Lane
Keep your vehicle in the lane and don’t wander into the middle of the road, especially when the visibility is getting worse. Also, use the proper lane marks to avoid running into oncoming traffic. Besides, if the visibility is low, pull your car over to the side and turn the hazard light alert so that other vehicles are aware of your presence on the roadside.
Brake Wisely
If you are driving a manual car, you have to press your brake and clutch at the same time during an emergency stop. If you do this hard enough, your brake pedal may vibrate. Moreover, when you are driving in bad weather, you should try to consider a longer braking distance if you find a wet or slippery surface.
Listen to the Radio
When you are driving in bad weather or road conditions, you should stay updated about the road via a radio station. The traffic updates may tell you about the alternate routes, road closures and traffic jams. However, keep the volume low as it shouldn’t distract your concentration from the road.
Always Stay Calm
When driving in bad weather or bad road conditions, you should stay calm and in control. It sounds logical, but in stressful situations, the adrenaline can run up considerably. In any case, try to stay calm.
Here we conclude our guide about the safety measures that need to be taken when you are driving in bad weather or bad road conditions. Be cautious, slow down, brake gently and be extra vigilant. If the weather is really bad, try not to get out on the road and work from home or use public transportation.
If you like this guide, stay tuned for the UAE’s leading auto blog for more safe driving tips.
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