How to drive safely during bad weather conditions

By Careen L. Malahay, for Automart.Ph

CEBU CITY, June 27, 2022 – More often than not, a lot of people learn to drive in excellent weather conditions.

Unfortunately, the climate keeps on changing, especially in the Philippines. A decade ago, March to May used to be the summer season. But in the last two years, rain has been present even during these months.

The same goes for September, when the temperature seems to spike despite the cold season.

These treacherous conditions can make driving dangerous. Even the most familiar route can be terrifying to drive on.

Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced driver, keep this simple rule in mind: Never drive faster than what is ideal for the road conditions.

However, slowing down isn't the only way to stay safe when the weather turns bad. Follow these tips for driving in bad weather to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.

Driving in the rain

Give yourself enough time to stop the car in a safe place.

If the rain outside is heavier than usual, you may need to pull over.

However, it takes longer to stop in wet weather because the roads are slippery. So don’t rush to stop the vehicle completely.  

You should also maintain a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you as you move to your target spot.

Switch on your headlights.

It will not only assist you in seeing things carefully, but also ensure that you are visible to other drivers.

Avoid puddles as much as possible.

Driving through puddles can cause your vehicle to hydroplane and lose control. As such, driving in the tracks of the car in front of you is advantageous because these areas are less slippery.

Use the middle lanes.

Water is more likely to pool on the road's outer edges, so staying in the middle will give you the best chance of avoiding hydroplaning.

Replace your wiper blades.

Don't put it off. Instead, replace these as soon as these becomes dull. This way, you won't be looking through a hazy windshield during a sudden downpour.

Driving during an earthquake

Don’t panic.

Yes, this seems impossible to do during an earthquake, but panic won’t help you. Instead, it can affect how you think and move. So, try to calm down and follow the next tips.

Stop the car.

Pull over in a safe place, but make sure that you are not blocking the road for search and rescue operations.

Avoid going inside buildings and other infrastructure that can collapse.

These include bridges, underpasses, skyways and malls.

Monitor the news.

Listen to your radio for news updates and instructions from the authorities. This way, you will have an idea on what is happening while getting advisories on staying safe during an earthquake.

Don’t get out of your car.

As much as possible, stay inside.

There is a higher chance that things will fall down outside your car, so it is safer to wait for rescue.

Aside from the abovementioned tips, it is also ideal to stay at home during bad weather conditions. If possible, just postpone your errands until things get better.

Remember, your safety should be the top priority. If you can’t do that, take extra precaution and make sure to follow our tips.