ACDelco weather warning: how to drive safely in stormy conditions

The recent spell of rainy weather in the UAE has fazed many motorists who are not used to driving in such conditions. ACDelco has shared some tips to ensure that motorists are able to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the roads.

1. Be prepared: The most important precaution to take is to ensure that the vehicle is in the best possible condition to tackle such stormy conditions. The components that need a comprehensive check before you start on a journey are the wiper blades and the front and rear lights. Just checking that these are working fine can make a huge difference to how comfortable and safe you are once you are on the move.

2. Check your weather app: Before you start the engine, check on the expected weather condition so that you are more prepared for what you are likely to face. Updates are given on a regular basis through news channels and on weather apps about road and weather conditions.

3. Don’t drive with your hazards on: Some motorists make it a regular practice to drive in fog and rain with the hazard lights on. The UAE has now issued a law that prohibits this practice as other road users will not be able to differentiate if the motorist is using the signal to indicate lane change or as a hazard light. This can lead to unnecessary confusion and greater risk of accidents. Hazard lights should be used only in an emergency situation.

4. Use dip lights, not high beams: There is a popular belief that high beams are better when visibility is poor. This is not true as small water droplets reflect the light and distort visibility for the motorist and other drivers. Instead, it would be better to use dip lights to guide the way.

5. Stay in your lane: Changing lanes is risky in bad weather as visibility is low and conditions are poor. It is best to stay in one lane unless you absolutely need to change lanes. Even when you do have to change lanes, give other motorists plenty of warning by using the indicator lights ad check thoroughly for other cars in the nearby lanes.

6. Keep your distance: During this kind of weather, it is very important to always keep a safe distance from the car in front. Motorists should be highly aware of their surroundings and other vehicles on the road, both in front and behind them.

7. Listen up: IN the event that visibility is badly affected during stormy weather, motorists should sharpen their ears and use what they hear to compensate for the lack of visibility. They could roll down their windows to hear other cars or emergency sirens.

8. Slow Down! Speed and wet roads are not a good combination at all. While driving, motorists should match the speed of the car in front to ensure that they are not forced to brake sharply. They should allow themselves plenty of time to get to their destination as there are bound to be delays and congestion on the roads!

ACDelco is a GM company that is a leading player in the field of automotive replacement parts and related services, ACDelco offers more than 90,000 parts across 37 products lines, including but not limited to maintenance parts such as car and truck batteries, spark plugs, oil filters, air filters and brakes.