Have you ever noticed how traffic tends to slow down when it's raining, and drivers’ behaviours seem to get worse?
With severe weather events increasing in frequency, it’s essential that drivers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Here, we take a look at three key risk areas and provide some handy tips for staying safe when the skies turn grey:
Risk awareness: Vehicle
Whether you’re hopping behind the wheel of a car you drive all the time or a work vehicle you drive every now and then, take a moment to check that the vehicle is in the best condition.
Checking things like the lights, windshield, and wheels are up to scratch will ensure a comfortable and safe drive in the rain.
Fleetcoach’s Know Your Vehicle coaching module is designed to equip you with the knowledge to check a vehicle's safety before getting behind the wheel. Log in to access the course*, which includes a complete checklist and handy tips.
Risk awareness: environment and surroundings
When driving in wet and stormy weather, there’s a lot to think about. Here’s some common hazards and how to mitigate them:
- Reduced visibility- Heavy rain, hail and wind can make it difficult to see what is happening on the road around you. Tip: Check if your car has fog lights and how to use them if the conditions call for them. Don’t use high beam lights during foggy conditions, as this will make visibility worse.
- Flooded roads- Heavy rain can cause flooding, making some roads impassable and dangerous. Tip: In general, don’t drive through fast-moving water more than 10cm deep or across bridges where the river is heavily swollen below.
- Unsafe surfaces – Excess surface water can make the road slippery, increasing the chances of aquaplaning and making it difficult to steer. Tip: Drive slowly through puddles to reduce the chance of aquaplaning. Maintain a safe, steady speed to avoid unnecessary braking and drive to the conditions.
Risk awareness: beware of other drivers!
Driving in wet weather not only tests the vehicle's condition but also heightens the risk of unpredictable behaviour from other drivers. How drivers are feeling behind the wheel can have a big impact on the decisions they make while driving. Unpredictable weather can induce anxiety and stress among drivers.
- Increase your following distance: Increase the usual two-second rule to at least four seconds when driving in the rain. This extra space accounts for the longer stopping distances required on wet roads and provides a buffer zone in case of sudden stops by the vehicle in front of you.
- Avoid sudden manoeuvres: Quick changes in direction or speed can be particularly perilous on slick surfaces. Smooth, deliberate actions are key to maintaining control and avoiding incidents.
- Be predictable: Use your indicators early to signal your intentions to other drivers.
- Monitor surroundings actively: Keep an eye on the behaviour of other drivers. Anticipating potential problems by observing vehicles around you will enable you to react proactively rather than reactively.
Driving on a rainy day can be challenging, but with our Fleetcoach training courses, you can drive confidently in wild weather. New to Fleetcoach? Learn more about our training here.
*Available for Safety and Wellbeing plan subscriptions.
.png)
