Preparing to Drive Safely On Australian Wet Roads

Driving in the rainy season or on wet roads can be challenging and treacherous even for an experienced driver. It can also be dangerous and life-threatening. Driving in rainy seasons changes the way your car behaves on the roads. Wet roads also have a great impact on stopping distances, and if your car tyres are not in good condition, smooth manoeuvring the vehicle can be difficult. 

Driving schools conduct special classes to help the learners drive carefully on wet roads or in floods. If you are new to driving, we recommend LTrent Driving Instructors for excellent learning experience.

Here, we’ve briefly discussed a few tips to keep in mind when you need to travel in wet weather. 

• Both hands on the wheel and stay in control
• Drive Slowly for better tyres contact and traction with the road
• Keep quite a distance from other vehicles on the road
• Watch out for dangers and other drivers in your surroundings
• Apply brake before taking a turn. Using brakes while turning will skid your vehicle
• Slow down while turning and maintain the same speed all through the turn
• Do not make any abrupt steering wheel movements while taking a turn
• Examine your tyres every month and look for the right amount of tyre pressure and tread
• Use tyres offering utmost grip in the wet season
• In fog, turn lights on low beam
• Avoid roads filled with water. Stay away from unsealed roads and stagnant water on its side
• Defog the windscreen of your car by keeping the air conditioner on

Preparing for the usual wet weather

• Check the weather conditions before hitting the road
• Check the tyre tread. It should be 1.5mm deep throughout the tyre
• Ensure the windscreen wipers are clean and undamaged. If they are not functioning properly, make sure you get them replaced
• Make sure that all your vehicle lights including headlights, hazard lights, indicators, brake lights, fog lights, parking lights, and reverse lights are clean and working well
• Check the car brakes. Over the period, they start wearing off

Plan Ahead to Avoid Fatigue

You must plan your travel well in advance unless there is an emergency where you need to rush to a certain location in the wet season. Things like the best route to take, road works, traffic jams, felled trees, floods, or storm threats. 

Always allow more travel time during unfavorable weather conditions. So, even if you are driving carefully and slowly, you are on time for work or school. It will help you stay safe and avoid any mishaps. 

Aquaplaning

Also known as hydroplaning, it is when your car tyres are unable to quickly displace the water on the road and lose contact with the surface of the road. When the tyre is not in contact with the road, it is difficult to accelerate, slow down or turn the vehicle. In other words, aquaplaning takes control of your car. Any pothole, rut, or dip that gathers water 2.5mm deep could lead to aquaplaning. Thus, reduce speed whenever running into any stagnant water.