Top 10 Monsoon Driving Safety Tips

Ever thought of the best monsoon feel? Perhaps it could be, you being all drenched, coming back home and asking your mom to cook some lip smacking snacks, maybe an ‘aloo paratha’ or a ‘paneer pakora’.

At present, all across the country, the almighty Indra is showering his blessings to the fullest that you define as “raining all cats and dogs”. However, there are always two sides of a coin and the Indian monsoon is no exception. Undoubtedly, it is ecstatic but it also comes with strings attached i.e. “The Road Dangers”.

Especially for the car and bike drivers, this season is full of hurdles and the very obvious reason is the rubble-ridden road conditions in the country that cause fatal road accidents. But no worries, there is always a panacea for the most challenging road ills and here we penned down top 10 monsoon safety tips that will help you ride safely during the showery conditions.

Here Are Top Ten Monsoon Driving Tips

1. Focus on the road:

Any sort of distraction that leads to the reduction in concentration should be avoided, be it a mobile phone or an audio player or even unnecessary chitchats with co-passengers.

2. Travel in daylight:

You see, this is the most convenient and recommended idea to begin your journey and reach the destination in daytime hours.

3. Keep Distance:

Now, this is not the ‘traditional’ warning, which you have to inscribe on the rear bumper, instead follow yourself. Due to the limited brake efficiency, the chances of your vehicle bumping into the front vehicle increase. A distance of about 15-20 meters is suggested safe. In layman’s terms, “keep a distance of three cars” between your car and the vehicle running ahead of you.

4. Tyre safety:

Do not ignore this one! tyre care in monsoon is very much essential. Make sure that the tyres don’t boast deep cracks, check for tyre pressure as the utmost speed you drive depends on the tyre condition. Worn-out tyres are the major cause of slippery road accidents.

5. Headlights ON:

Ensure headlights are ‘ON’, and have a low-beam setting during heavy showers even in daytime, so that you don’t temporarily blind the approaching driver with your vehicle’s high-beam, thus avoiding any crash.

6. Brake check:

Usually rusty/weary brake callipers breakdown in damp conditions. Hence, get them examined. Also be aware that after driving through water logged areas, the impact of brakes reduces to a great extent.

7. Refrain cruise-control:

Never use, yes you read it right “Never use” cruise-control (if equipped) during rain as you may lose control of your vehicle in water logging conditions. Instead, it is advised to keep your car in lower gears so that you enjoy better control.

8. Watch two-wheelers:

People on bikes are more prone to slips as they have a limited grip on wet surfaces, therefore avoid trailing them. One of the many causes of road accidents is due to tailing of two-wheelers.

9. Heavy rain, pull off:

When you are driving and it’s pouring heavily, securely park your car under a safe shelter, not under any tree or pole, as they may get uprooted and cause damage to the vehicle, and wait for the harsh rain to depart.

10. Say no to ‘underpass’:

Chances are that your daily routes might have underpass connectivity with roads, which during heavy rains gets flooded. Therefore, avoid travelling through the underpass and seek for alternate routes.