Driving safely in the rain

Thunderstorms, cloudbursts and incoming snow. Sudden downpours are very common in the autumn season, and they are very dangerous for those driving a car. How should one behave when driving in heavy rain and the road surface is wet? To avoid the many dangers that the road hides, it is necessary to follow some practical tips on driving in the rain:

• Maximum attention at the wheel: turn off all distractions, e.g., cell phone and radio, and focus solely on driving. Always keep one hand on the steering wheel and if necessary one on the handbrake. While concentrating on the road, take a look in the back with the rearview mirror and to the sides so that you have a 360-degree view of what is happening and avoid any hazards;
• Headlights on: in Italy, and in many countries, turning on headlights is mandatory even during the day and when it is not raining, however in rainy conditions make sure they are on even in broad daylight. This will make it easier to see what is ahead and be more visible to others, preventing possible accidents;
• Maintain an adequate safety distance: You never know what other riders are going to do or what might happen to you! If you think you are too close or too far away, a simple rule of thumb is to keep no less than half a second away, especially in bad weather;
• Respect speed limits: in rainy weather on all Italian highways, the speed limit drops from 130 k/h to 110 km/h to best prevent the dangers caused by driving in unfavorable weather conditions;
• Beware of aquaplanning: this phenomenon occurs when a “water cushion” is created, which causes the contact between the tires and the asphalt to be lost, and traction is significantly reduced. As there is no longer friction between the two surfaces, due to the “buoyancy” that is created, there is no ability to make the vehicle slow down or change direction, which remains only subject to the rules of physics. The greater the thickness of the water and the speed of the vehicle, the more the effect is amplified, compromising road holding;
• Watch your brakes: always remember that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum brakes greatly decrease stopping power, so avoid hard braking;
• Extra caution driving at night: motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars may be camouflaged by the glint of raindrops on the side windows and rearview mirrors. Visibility may be reduced, so maximum concentration on the road and the vehicles driving on it.

SAFETY