Monsoon Road Safety Tips

The flooded streets, the slippery roads, water logging and the potholes make the driving experience nothing less than a challenge; however, for the public traveling daily and those who have no choice but to be on the roads can be a tough day.
During the monsoon season, riding a vehicle can be quite dangerous. When driving in the rain, you have to deal with slippery roads, strong gusts, and limited vision, increasing the risk of accidents. Incessant rainfall leads to bad traffic jams leaving commuters stranded for several hours.

Let's go through some monsoon driving tips that would help you drive safely in the rain:

1. Check your vehicle:

Before heading out, ensure the bike or car is in good working and perfect condition. Even the smallest technical flaw can significantly impact your road safety during monsoon. Avoid getting stuck on muddy roads and make sure the tyres, windshield wipers, headlights, tail lights, brakes, tyres tread, etc. are all in good condition. Also, ensure that your vehicle tyres are adequately inflated.

2. Drive slowly:

Wet roads are highly slippery, rendering them prone to accidents. Some dangers of driving a car during the rainy season include mud-covered slippery roadways and reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall. As a result, it's best to drive slowly and steadily. Avoid applying rapid brakes, accelerating, or turning sharply. Applying brakes suddenly can cause the vehicle to skid and cause an accident.

3. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles:

Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles is a general monsoon road safety guideline for all vehicle drivers. This is especially crucial during the monsoon season due to poor visibility. When driving on a rainy day, maintain a safe distance from the front vehicle because it becomes harder to stop your vehicle on wet roads.

4. Do not ride with an open umbrella:

Many two-wheeler pillion riders cover themselves with umbrellas while riding. This can be quite dangerous, resulting in an accident, and the pillion rider risks being run over by passing automobiles. Wearing a raincoat instead of carrying an umbrella is preferable for both the rider and the pillion rider.

5. Avoid driving on flooded roads:

Avoid flooded roads because water and mud may leak over in the vehicle and can cause electrical breakdown. A manhole can be present underneath the flooded waters, causing the car to be stuck in it, making you helpless in such situations.

6. Wear seatbelt and helmet:

Keep your seatbelt on if you're driving a four-wheeler, and encourage other passengers in the car to do the same. It is essential to always wear a helmet while driving a two-wheeler vehicle. Still, it becomes a priority during the monsoon season to prevent any head injuries as roads are slippery and the vehicle can easily skid.

7. Fuel-up before setting off:

Imagine being stuck at a distant location during a rainy day with no petrol in your vehicle and no filling station nearby. Isn't it scary? Ensure you fill your car to avoid having your automobile break down in the middle of the road.

8. Avoid offroading:

Going off the usual path can be enjoyable in the summer, but during the monsoon, especially in the highlands, it can only cause you grief. Remember the following monsoon road safety advice when driving in the mountains: stay as much as possible on the well-paved road and avoid driving on loose dirt, muddy roads, and patches to avoid skidding or getting stuck in it.

9. Keep the headlights on::

Since rain greatly reduces the visibility on roads, it is wise to keep your automobile headlights on, regardless of the intensity of rainfall. Doing this helps improve your visibility, and other vehicles coming from the opposite side can see you.

Stay alert! Follow all of the above safety precautions to ensure a safe return home after the journey.

Accidents don't come with a warning, It just happens!
Only timely interventions and precautions can save life and severity.
The emergency department at Medicover Hospitals is staffed around the clock by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, doctors, nurses skilled in critical and emergency care to provide timely treatment.
So next time you drive, drive safe!