Plenty of accidents take place daily in various parts of the world. It happens due to the faults of drivers, or at times because of environmental settings around. Regardless, in bad weather settings such as snow, fog, or rain the probability of accidents moderately increase. Data shows a rise in number of accidents in bad weather settings compared to a normal sunny day in all parts of the world.
The easiest way to prevent accidents in bad weather is not to drive, and just put off your trip till the weather conditions get back to usual. You can collect information about the weather by watching weather forecast on news channel, researching on the internet, or just listening to radio. However, if it is inescapable then you should keep in mind certain tips to keep away from accidents in bad weather.
How are your tyres?
"Bald tyres" also result in crashes on a rainy day since they lessen traction and give less resistance to hydroplaning. It is very recommended that you look at your vehicle's tyre on regular basis, in particular before going out on a journey.
Turn on your wipers
It is smart to get new car wipers annually, since improper wiper blades do not appropriately clear water from the windshield when in bad weather, and hence obscure your view. It is also better to use windscreen washer. It is somewhat cheaper and offers enormous safety benefits as well. What's more, don't trail behind large buses or trucks as their splash and spray can block your view, and can add to the odds of accident. Preserve safe car distance while driving, (remember 3 second rule) and keep windshield wipers turned on.
Turn on your lights
In low visibility, headlights should be kept on as it assists in increasing visibility and let other drivers know about your arrival as well. In rain or foggy settings, it is compulsory to switch headlights turned on. You may see other cars with lights off, but you can't say about others if they have appropriate windshield wipers and clear visions as good as yours.
Foggy windows
When there is severe humidity or rain, the windows of your car fog up. Due to this, you must switch on the defrost mode. It will defog the fog from the windows. If your car does not have AC, then open your side windows to get the air moving. All new cars made now have rear window defroster to clear misted rear windscreen, if you don't have this then by keeping the defroster high the hot air will do the trick for you.
Expressway driving
It is always advisable to keep proper distance from the car ahead of you, but in rainy conditions it is even highly recommended so that if you have to hit the brakes you have enough distance from the car to allow your tyres to lock up. Drive in the first lane if possible as you would find fewer cars in this lane and less oil deposits.
There are so many other tips you should follow while driving in bad weather. Your car should be in the best condition before you plan to drive. You should check tyres, brakes, and windshield wipers before you start your journey. Drive slowly, keep lights on, maintain proper distance, turn on windscreen wipers in rain, and don't follow buses & trucks are some of the tips you should keep in mind while driving in bad weather.