FEMI OWOEYE
Rain can turn a familiar road into a danger zone within minutes. Here is how to stay in control. The rain may be a blessing for the land, but for motorists, it can quickly become a serious road-safety threat.
Across Africa, the rainy season brings a familiar combination of slippery roads, reduced visibility, potholes, flooding and damaged road surfaces. In Nigeria, where the rainy season generally runs from April to October, the months between June and September can bring particularly heavy downpours.
For motorists, the danger is not simply the rain itself. It is how quickly road conditions can change.
A dry road can become slippery within minutes. Potholes can disappear beneath floodwater. Visibility can drop dramatically, while vehicles may lose grip during sudden braking or cornering.
That is why rainy-weather driving demands a different mindset.
BEFORE YOU DRIVE, CHECK YOUR CAR
Do not wait for the first major downpour to discover that your vehicle is not ready.
Start with the tyres. They are your car’s only contact with the road, making their condition critical when the surface becomes wet. Check tread depth, tyre pressure and general condition. Worn tyres can significantly reduce grip and increase the risk of skidding or losing control.
Modern tyres such as the Michelin Primacy 5, for example, are engineered to provide grip and braking performance in wet conditions.
“During the rainy season, roads can become wet very quickly, and conditions can change without warning. Drivers should ensure their tyres are in good condition and adjust their driving style, especially when braking or cornering on wet roads,” said Amaury Vadon, Vice President for Sales in Africa, India & the Middle East and Commercial Director Sub-Saharan Africa at Michelin.
But tyres are only part of the equation.
Check your windshield wipers, headlights, brake lights and indicators. A faulty wiper or weak lighting system can turn heavy rain into a driving nightmare.
The battery also deserves attention. Moisture can expose weaknesses in electrical connections and components that may already be worn. Clean, tight battery terminals and a healthy battery can help prevent starting problems.
WHEN THE RAIN STARTS, SLOW DOWN
This is where many motorists make a dangerous mistake: they continue driving as though the road were dry.
Don’t.
Reduce your speed. Wet roads reduce tyre grip and increase stopping distances.
Brake gently. Sudden braking can cause a vehicle to skid, particularly when tyres are worn.
Increase your following distance. Give yourself more time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.
Switch on your headlights. They help you see and, importantly, help other road users see you.
Be extremely careful when cornering. Avoid sudden steering movements and excessive speed.
Think twice before overtaking. Heavy rain can dramatically reduce visibility and available grip, making an otherwise routine manoeuvre dangerous.
FLOODWATER IS NOT JUST WATER
One of the biggest rainy-season traps on Nigerian roads is flooding.
Never assume you know how deep floodwater is simply because another vehicle has driven through it.
Floodwater can conceal potholes, open drainage channels, broken road surfaces and other hazards. It can also damage the vehicle or cause the engine to ingest water.
When in doubt, don’t go through. Find another route.
And if you encounter heavy rain, switch off cruise control. In wet conditions, drivers need maximum control and immediate ability to adjust speed.
THE GOLDEN RULE
There is no prize for arriving first during a downpour.
Check the weather before setting out. Plan your route. Avoid known flood-prone roads and allow extra travel time.
Most importantly, drive according to the conditions, not according to the speed limit alone.
Rain can transform an ordinary journey into a hazardous one in seconds. A well-maintained vehicle, good tyres, reduced speed, greater following distance and a patient driver can make the difference between reaching your destination safely and becoming another rainy-season road statistic.
When the rain comes, respect the road. Your life may depend on it.
©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International
Contact: editor@motoringworldng.com
