Now that the rainy season has begun, motorists are now more attentive while driving as inclement weather conditions increase the chances of road accidents. Aside from making roads slippery, heavy rains can also cause flooding, heavy traffic, and low visibility.

The World Health Organization (WHO) previously reported that around 1.3 million people worldwide die every year due to road crashes, while 20 to 50 million more suffer non-fatal injuries.

According to the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), 65,032 road accidents were recorded in the country’s main metropolitan area in 2020, resulting in the death of 337 people. These figures show that the average daily road-crash incidents in Metro Manila is 178, with 50,230 cases causing property damage and 14,465 resulting in non-fatal injuries.

The most common thing that drivers do when it begins to rain is slowing down. While reducing speed is significant in keeping the road safe in wet conditions, there are several other things that motorists should do when driving in the rain.

Prestone shares these five road safety measures that every motorist should be mindful of this rainy season:

Be updated on weather advisories.

It is vital to always check the weather forecast before heading out. If the weather report says that there will be rain, you might want to consider postponing the trip altogether until the weather is better — particularly if the rain is expected to be intense.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition.

Always check the car’s condition before heading out. Make sure that the headlights, tail lights, brakes, and windshield wipers are working properly.

It is also important to check if your tires are properly inflated before heading out. Always remember to bring a spare in good condition (and inflation) and an emergency kit with all the essentials such as jumper cables, tools, extra batteries, and reflective triangles.

Wear seatbelts and proper gear.

Whatever the weather condition is, it is important to always wear your seatbelt. However, it is more crucial for the driver and passengers to wear this during rainy days.

Motorcycle riders must also protect themselves from the inclement weather using waterproof or water-resistant gear (in addition to the standard helmet) like pads, a raincoat, rain boots, and a riding jacket.

Turn on your headlights.

Since heavy rain can result in low visibility, it is important to keep your headlights on so other motorists can see your vehicle on the road. Drivers are also reminded to pull over if they find it difficult to see things clearly and wait for the rain to subside to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. And don't turn on your hazard lights!

Give enough space for other motorists.

Since the rain can make roads more slippery, it is important to slow down and give other motorists more space to avoid collision. Braking may also become difficult when driving in the rain.

It is also important to top up your car’s engine with essential car maintenance fluids regularly to ensure that the braking system works properly.

Photos from Bentley, OTO