Driving during the nice weather is a pleasant thing. Sun is shining, roads are dry, and visibility is excellent. But bad weather changes all that. Conditions for driving are totally different and they make what almost come as a routine to you into something that demands all your concentration and skills. Bad weather driving conditions request some preparation for it.
What is bad weather?
Of course, severe conditions such as heavy storms or hurricanes are obvious bad weather conditions. But fog, rain, snow, winter sun can also be classified as a bad weather condition. Actually, any weather that interferes with your normal driving conditions can be considered bad. Listen to the weather forecast before you decide on a trip and hear about driving conditions. Most weather forecasts announce driving conditions as well, so you can be prepared on time.
How to prepare for bad weather driving conditions?
If you are aware of the weather conditions that will occur during your trip, you can make some preparations. Check your tires and whether they are fit for such driving conditions. Check your engine and overall condition of your car, It will be good to check your windows, as the visibility should be the best you can get. Since weather in Australia is rarely extreme and Australian drivers are not prepared for such conditions, it is best to leave that to highly trained professionals such as vehicle window repair in Sidney as they will do everything that is needed. In the end, check all your lights and make sure they are all working properly.
Bad weather driving kits
You should always have such kits in your car. They can save your life sometimes. You should have a kit for your car and kit for yourself. For car kit, jumper cables, reserve lights, spade, towing trail, antifreeze liquid both for the motor and for the windshields, ice scrapers, anything you think might come in handy in such conditions. For your kit be sure to pack warm clothes, blankets, food that does not spoil easily, first aid kit with bandages and ointments. This may come in very handy when in trouble.
How to adjust your driving according to weather conditions?
It is not the same if you are driving through a fog or through a flood. If you are driving through the fog, make sure you drive as slow as possible. Keep your eyes both on the road and on the roadsides. In such weather conditions, other participants in traffic may be less visible. Don’t let them surprise you to do something you don’t want to happen. Also, be concentrated on the lights of a vehicle in front of you. Don’t follow them, but be aware of how far they are. During bad weather condition, you will need more time to stop and more distance to brake. So always have that in mind. During floods never test the depth of the water on the road. Rather go around it, if it is possible, or turn around and go back. If it is heavy rain than make sure you don’t ride next to the brink of the road, as you can never know what is under the water. Rather use the middle of the road.
What to do in high winds?
High winds can be very dangerous. Try to avoid bridge passages or similar places. If your car has been blown away, slow down immediately and try to keep a steady course. Stay away from motorcyclists or high vehicles, as they can b very dangerous for others in such weather conditions.
General rules
Avoid harsh braking. Always get your gear in lower speed on time and brake when you are the slowest. Always have your lights on in gloomy weather or heavy rain. This will make your car more visible and you will be safer. During fog use front and hind fog lights. Make yourself visible and safer for other participants in traffic. Take good care about how responsive your wheel is. If you notice it isn’t as responsive as usual, slow down immediately and try to take over the control. If it looks to you that you can’t take over the control, pull next to the road and wait for bad weather to stop.
In the end, the best thing you can do is not to start your driving at all if you know the weather will be bad. It is better to stay safe at home than to expose yourself and others to danger. If possible, stay at home until weather changes and conditions are good again.
