Driving during the rainy season is challenging, and sometimes not entirely safe. Whenever you get behind the wheel during heavy rain, you must be very careful with the way you drive. There are several things that can distract you and among these include; poor visibility when the rain is much which increases the risk of an accident. It is, therefore, best to take precautions in advance. When you hire a car in Uganda, there are some safety precautions that car hire companies may not tell you about, but let us take this chance to give you some of the ways to drive during the rainy season to reduce the risk of accidents.
1. Think First About Motion!
This is clear and really understandable that high-speed road signs have been installed on roads for dry season uses. For the rainy day, these speed signs will not work and it’s strongly recommended at least to keep 50km/h when driving during the rainy day. As you know during a rainy day, road visibility is poor and water causes the tires to slip the thing which makes it hard for a driver to control the vehicle and case of abrupt braking. Try to go slow even if the street sign is saying 100km/h so that you can reach where you going safely.
2. Make sure Glass is Fog-free and clean
Clear vision is very important most especially when driving on a rainy day. It is very important to ensure that the windscreen of your vehicle is free of any dirt, mud, moisture, or mist while driving. If your car’s windshield has any damage that prevents it from seeing properly, then fix it early before you plan to drive on a rainy day. The situation gets worse if you are driving on a bad road such as those roads going to Uganda National parks such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ishasha sector, and Kidepo Valley National Park among others.
3. Beware of Sliding
Hydroplaning occurs when car tires fail to connect properly to the road and fail to steer your vehicle. It often happens when you apply the brakes suddenly while at high speeds. To prevent your car from slipping during the rainy day, make sure you are moving at a moderate pace and also give the car in front of you enough distance in case of an emergency. Also, it will be very helpful to inspect the wheels of your vehicle before starting to drive on a rainy day. If they have baldness then you will have to replace them.
4. Beware of Stagnant Water Ponds
During heavy rain, not only can you be affected by car crashes, but you can also damage your car or break the springs (Suspensions) if you are speeding through puddles of water. You can also pour water on other road users. This can lead to accidents as they can lose direction and get off the road.
5. Do Not Stop Turning On the Lights
The law allows the use of headlights during rain or poor vision on the road. Rain can reduce your long-distance vision while in the car and challenge you to cross safely with other drivers. So to be more secure, it is best to turn on your lights so that other street users can see you.
And if the visibility is too poor, we are advised to park on the roadside and wait for the rain to stop to avoid causing accidents.
