The Australian subcontinent boasts shifting climates and varying weather conditions. From foggy mountain passes to scorching Outback roads, there’s a wide array of weather conditions that drivers must familiarise themselves with if they want to ensure a safe and successful passage.
If you live in a part of Australia or New Zealand that experiences varying weather conditions, it’s important to hold the knowledge to navigate through these conditions.
While there are road maintenance works that are frequently done to minimise the severity of these weather conditions (e.g. de-icing), there are times wherein you must learn to navigate through these areas yourself. This can expose you and your car to risks if you’re not careful.
However, by abiding with proper driving practices, you can drive with no problem under various weather conditions. From getting your car fully maintained to employing the highest standard of safe driving habits, read on to learn how to travel through different weather conditions.
3 Tips on Driving With Rain Safely
Here are some things to know before you start driving in rainy and wet conditions.
1. Use Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers serve as a potent line of defence against rainy and wet conditions. They draw out water from the viewing glass and provide drivers and passengers with a clear look at the front view of the car and beyond.
If your car’s windshield wipers leave streak marks, consider replacing them. You need these wipers to remove traces of water from the front car window during rain—any less is a safety hazard. However, during colder conditions like winter time, you’ll have to switch to a special blade to clear out snow from your window.
2. Avoid Flood Prone Areas
Some roads, especially in lower-lying regions, may be flooded after a long bout of rain. If the sewer or drainage system is clogged or filled to the brim, this can leave rainwater collecting on the road.
If the roads are heavily flooded, your car may not be able to traverse it without having to submerge itself in the floodwater. The rainwater can seep into the internal mechanisms of the car like its engine, which can cause it to short-circuit if not outright break down.
The best way to mitigate car damage under weather conditions is by following a route that’s not flood-prone. It’s a good practice to research beforehand if it’ll rain along your route and make adjustments from there. You can also consider waiting until the rain stops to start driving.
3. Stay Far From Trucks and Busses
Trucks and buses are prone to emitting a stream of water from their tyres when driving on wet roads. This can cause water to splash on your car, which can limit your driving visibility. It may also cause your tyres to skid as more water drenches your wheels, which can be dangerous.
Furthermore, your brakes are also less effective when your tyres are in contact with a wet and oily surface. This can cause your car to skid or not act the way you want it to.
To reduce the risk of collisions, consider creating a large gap between your car and the bus or truck in front of you. This way, you can leave enough space to adjust your driving if these big vehicles leave behind large trail marks.
3 Tips on Driving With Fog Safely
Fog is a common occurrence, especially in mountainous regions. Here are some tips on navigating fog safely.
1. Drive With Fog Beams On
If your vehicle has it, use fog beams instead of a high-beam headlight. A high-beam headlight can cause light to reflect back to you, which can reduce your visibility.
Fog beams help increase your visibility by a few metres when it’s foggy outside, which can make a difference in you encountering an accident or avoiding it altogether.
2. Look at Your Speedometer
Driving through fog fast is a recipe for disaster. It’s best to drive slowly as it ensures you have enough time to react in case an obstacle appears ahead.
A speed below 15 kilometres per hour is ideal on narrow and windy roads. But as a rule of thumb, the lower your speed, the safer you’ll be.
3. Keep Moving Straight on Busy Lanes
Refrain from or minimise changing lanes along busy highways under foggy conditions, as this sudden movement can surprise drivers behind who may not have expected such a sudden movement.
When driving in the fog, stick with one lane and stick to a certain speed threshold as much as possible. Continuous and predictable movement ensures that cars behind and in front of you can predict your movements. This, in turn, helps minimise the risk of accidents.
5 Tips on Driving With Snow Safely
Before driving in snow, it’s essential to have a good grasp of the basics of driving—like starting, braking, and turning. Snowy and icy roads are one of the hardest conditions to drive on, so it’s vital for you to be prepared.
Here are five of these tips.
1. Leave a 4 Second Distance From The Next Driver
When driving in snowy conditions, it’s critical to leave enough room between your car and the next car. This is to ensure that you’ll have enough time to react in case they suddenly stop their car.
Snowy weather can cause slippery ice to form on roads, particularly if the temperature is near-freezing or below zero degrees. When driving under these conditions, your wheel’s traction may be rendered inefficient and not brake as fast as it should.
A 4-second following distance gives you more time to react, increasing safety for both you and the vehicle in your immediate front.
2. Slow Down on Black Ice
Black ice can form in areas that don’t get a full view of the sun, like beneath bridges and overpasses. These roads can develop what’s known as black ice during the winter. This ice type is dangerous to drive on as they’re notorious for being very slippery.
It’s best to slow down when driving on black ice to ensure that you won’t lose control of your vehicle.
3. Skid With Finesse
You may end up skidding if you drive too fast in icy conditions. When this happens, you should let go of the accelerator and the brake and slowly steer to your desired direction to regain control. Be careful not to over-steer, as this can cause your car to wobble and veer off-course.
If you’re skidding in a straight line, shift your car’s clutch to neutral to prevent your tyres from propelling your car forward too fast.
4. De-ice Your Vehicle
If you store your vehicle outdoors or leave it outside for an extended period, defrost and de-ice both its exterior and under the hood.
Check critical components like the engine, hood, mirrors, and windows to ensure that they’re defrosted completely. By doing this, you’ll minimise the chances of your car breaking down while in operation.
If you’re not sure how to start de-icing your vehicle, you can consider having driving lessons for a refresher course.
5. Avoid Passing Steep Roads
As much as possible, avoid driving on rural and mountainous roads in the wintertime. If you’re anything less than confident in your driving, you may find it hard to navigate through icy road conditions in both inclines and declines.
If you do have to pass by these roads, use engine gears to slow your wheel’s rotation. It’s also a good idea to look at the wheels of the drivers in front of you to see where they skid and prepare your accelerating and braking accordingly.
2 Tips on Driving With Sun Safely
While sunny conditions may feel like the best conditions to drive in, there are some instances when driving in sunny conditions can be dangerous.
1. Wear Sunglasses to Reduce Glare
When driving in clear sunlight, you may end up on a road that directly faces the sun. The glare can make driving difficult and dangerous for your eyes.
One way to keep your eyes safe from the sun’s glare and ensure safe driving is by wearing a pair of sunglasses. Good-quality sunglasses can deflect UV rays and help you see the front of the car better, making it an essential accessory when driving out.
2. Cool Your Car Before Entering
Finally, it’s essential to keep your car cool before you enter it. This not only promotes comfort, but it also helps air out microplastics or bacteria that may be lingering in these spaces under these hot conditions.