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Be safe, drive better, follow these vital tips when you drive this monsoon
Monsoon is progressing in full swing across India and so are the unfavourable road conditions in the country.
As per a study, the arrival of monsoon increases the number of road accidents because of wet roads.
As a responsible driver, road safety should be your prime concern, especially during rainy season.
Keeping in mind the same, we have listed some vital monsoon driving tips, which will facilitate you to drive better and be safe.
1. Sense the situation before getting aboard
First things first.
Do not take your car out 'just like another day' under wet road conditions. It is recommended to first examine the situation and then embark on the journey.
If the task is not urgent refrain yourself from getting into the heavy rains.
Try to wait for some time till the conditions get favourable and better, and then drive your car.
2. Headlight usage
Usually, under showery conditions, the visibility tends to become low, which makes it hard to notice a vehicle coming your way. Hence it is advised to keep your car headlights switched ON.
Prior to that ensure both the headlamps are up and in working condition. Adjust them appropriately to make sure clear visibility and check the position of headlamps.
In urban conditions, always keep the headlight beam low. This will benefit you in two ways: one, not blinding the people coming your way, and second, you get a good view of imminent potholes and speed breakers.
3. Say no to cruise control
We all know cruise control is better for long drives and, that too, on a normal road. However, in such wet conditions, it is suggested to turn OFF the cruise control mode.
Here driving in regular mode will allow the control to be in your hands helping you to manoeuvre your car as per the circumstance.
4. Keeping safe distance is important
Keeping safe distance from the opposite vehicle is always significant in any conditions. However, during shower hours it is recommended to keep a more than 'safe' distance between the vehicles.
This is because there are all chances of vehicle skidding during the emergency braking.
And with considerable safe distance, the vehicles will not bump into each other.
5. Pay attention to the turns
Sharp and narrow turns always result in most of the accidents taking place in rainy conditions.
Taking swift turns on a wet surface causes tyres to skid, resulting in loss of car control. Hence, before turning at sharp points, first slow down the speed of the car and then take a turn.
It is strongly suggested to use the horn on turns, as it warns the drivers approaching from the opposite side of the turn.
6. More focus required while driving
Compared to usual days, one needs to be more conscious while driving as things can get topsy-turvy within a fraction of a second.
As during the rains, any casual pedestrian or stray animal (looking for shelter) can all of a sudden be on the radar of the driver's visibility.
In such situations, the thinking or the reaction time for the driver is very less and the chances of an accident are more. Hence, if you are not adaptable to such conditions don't drive; it is better to reach somewhere late than meeting with a mishap.
7. Replace the old wiper blades
As a rule, it is suggested to go for a new set of wiper blades every six months or max to a year, or as soon as you start sighting lower visibility from the windscreen.
Photograph: PixaBay.com
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