The rains are coming . . .

Traffic Safety Council
As we approach the onset of the rainy season, I hope that the following tips and guidelines will help you to enjoy safer driving in the rains.

This is the first in a series that talks about how you can prepare your car for driving in the rains. General tips and guidelines Ensure that your vehicle is fit to be driven.

Check that the tyres, brakes and wipers are in good condition. It is a good idea to get a set of new wiper blades at the start of each rainy season.

The tyres of your vehicle must have at least 1 to 3 mm of tread depth left, and should be inflated to the manufacturer recommended levels. Driving on tyres that are over or under-inflated is dangerous even on dry tarmac.

Check the focus of your headlight beams and correct it if necessary.

Ensure that your foot pedals are not slippery. It is a good idea to get new plastic/rubber mats too.

The windshield washer fluid must be topped up at all times and ensure that all glasses are cleaned thoroughly.

Check the rubber biddings/weather strips on the doors. If they appear loose tighten or change them.

These rubber biddings stop water from seeping inside the door panels, which could cause an unreliable central locking system, short circuit or rust.

Since you never know when and where you may end up stuck on the road, don’t ever let your fuel go below quarter level mark. Also, have sufficient supplies of snacks and bottled water.

Keep a torch and umbrella handy

Get an air-freshener for your car. Rains can make for dump smelly interiors.

Windscreen/window fogging
Window fogging occurs as a result of a temperature difference between the inside surface of your glass and the outside.
For instance, if you drive without the air-con and all your windows are shut, the cabin is warmer than the outside.

This causes fog to develop from inside. On the other hand, if you run your air-con on full blast mode, the interiors of your car will be colder than the outside thus your glass will fog up from the outside.
The following are some of the tips on how to avoid window fogging.

Firstly, keep the air-con on fresh air or ventilation mode.
It is always important to maintain the right temperature balance between the inner and the exterior sides of glass. Do not turn your air-con full blast. Keep it at a level which is just comfortable. Also, use your rear windscreen demister more frequently.
It heats up little wires in your rear glass and gets rid of the mist or fog.

In the event that the windows fog from inside, the best thing to do is to switch on the air-con.
It will clear up the screens in just a few seconds.
However, when the windows fog up from the outside, the situation is a little tricky.

The most suitable solution is to roll down the windows a little and let the air flow more or less to neutralise the temperature difference.
Most vehicles today come with the demist or defog mode.

Practical driving tips
The following suggestions are offered in the hope of ensuring safer driving in wet weather.
In stormy conditions it is difficult to see other vehicles, road signs and the road itself. Therefore, it is critical to make sure that you can see and be seen. Below are some tips that can help.

Slow down. It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather.

Maintain proper following distance (Two- Second Rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.

Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tyres reduces your vision. Take care when overtaking them as well, if you must overtake, do so quickly and safely.

Be more alert when driving in wet or slippery conditions. Watch out for brake lights in front of you

Avoid using your brakes as much as possible. If possible, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.

The rains are essential for our agriculture, among other benefits. However, driving in the rain can be a scary thing especially at night.
Bear that as it may, safety minded drivers must always do everything reasonable to avoid getting into an accident while it is raining.
In the next series, I shall reveal more tips about practical driving in the rain.

The writer, Ernest Muchena, is the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Officer – Marketing. He is contact- able via email: [email protected] / [email protected]; cell: 0772 966 075 or phone 04 – 751208.