Driving in heavy rainfall, strong winds, and foggy road can be a recipe for disaster. Of course, nobody would want it to happen so take these seven helpful tips from Nissan Philippines for safe travels during the wet season:
1. HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, EYES ON THE ROAD
A slippery road and distracted driving, when combined, can result to an injury or fatal accident. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and focus your eyes on the road (and nothing else) while driving. If you really need to use the phone, pull over at the nearest gasoline station or emergency bay.
2. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS
Seatbelts are often taken for granted. Not all people wear them—unless a police checkpoint is on sight. As a result, when an accident occurs, casualties are recorded. Wearing seatbelts properly keeps your body in the right position and prevents you from being thrown out of your vehicle. It also saves you from banging yourself against the windshield, the other parts of the car, or the passengers, while ensuring the effectiveness of the airbags.
3. CHECK YOUR HEADLIGHTS
Turning on your headlights allows you to see any obstruction on the road during the night, whether it’s a tree branch, a fallen lamppost, a pedestrian, or an approaching vehicle. Before you leave the house or the office, make sure to check if your headlights are working properly.
4. DRIVE SLOWLY
Slowly but surely. The road is always slippery when wet. When vehicles pass along slick roads, things can get very dangerous. Slowing down decreases your chances of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when the tire encounters more water than it can push away, causing it to lift off the road and lose traction.
This wet season, drive slowly and avoid sharp turns and sudden brakes. If hydroplaning happens, do not panic. Stepping abruptly on the brakes or turning the wheel sharply will only cause your vehicle to spin out of control. Instead, carefully take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow down while guiding the steering wheel to the line of travel. The tires will gradually gain traction.
5. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is important because wet roads can be very slick and the splash from a car’s rear wheels will cause your view to get blurry.
This rainy season, always drive cautiously. Give plenty of room for the vehicles in front of you. The recommended minimum distance is five car-lengths away.
6. AVOID FLOODED AREAS
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), once your car is flooded or submerged, its engine, transmission and fuel, brake, power steering, and electrical systems become more vulnerable to increased wear and premature failure.
Before going out of the house, make sure to update yourself on places that are already flooded. If you’re already outside, avoid passing on areas that get easily flooded. Meanwhile, if your vehicle has already been submerged, have a technician inspect and clean it first before you try starting it.
7. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, CALL NISSAN
While all these tips can make for a safer driving experience for everyone, new Nissan customers have one final option should they find themselves in a less than favorable situation.
Help is now available anytime for any new Nissan car owner, as they are automatically covered by the Nissan Customer Assistance Center (NCAC), a concierge facility that provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, valet service, and information service.
During the rainy days, customers in the Metro may ask for the traffic information and road condition from the alarm center. In case of vehicle breakdown, NCAC will coordinate for the towing or repair of the member’s vehicle and make arrangements for the safe return of the driver to his home or original destination.
These services are also available to other Nissan customers, whose vehicles are not older than 10 years, for a minimal fee. They may contact the NCAC hotline 02-403-65-93 or the mobile number 0927-600-9557 for help and information on how to avail this service.
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