Every cold winter, as car owners, we’re most concerned about rainy and snowy weather—because not only does it impair visibility while driving, but it also increases the risk of vehicle safety hazards. This winter, even we in the south have already experienced two major snowstorms, and rain seems to have been constant without a break. Today, let’s talk about what precautions you need to take to ensure safe driving in rainy and snowy conditions.

       When driving in rainy or snowy weather, it’s essential to make thorough preparations before setting out. You should check the seal of the engine hood as well as the technical condition of the wipers and brakes, and promptly address any faults you find. In addition to ensuring that the vehicle’s mechanical systems are functioning properly, you must also keep a close eye on the wipers, braking system, headlights and taillights, and tire pressure at all times. Never let even the slightest oversight lead to a traffic accident.

 

 

In addition to the mandatory checks before getting on the vehicle, you should pay extra attention to the following points while driving on the road:

1. Maintain good visibility.  。 When driving in rainy or snowy weather, be sure to turn on your windshield wipers promptly. In dim lighting conditions, you should also switch on your low-beam headlights and fog lights. If there’s frost on the front windshield, activate the air conditioning and direct the cold air toward the windshield. If frost appears on the rear windshield, turn on the rear-window defroster to quickly eliminate the frost and ensure clear visibility of vehicles behind you.

2. Prevent wheel skidding. The water on the road surface acts as a lubricant between the tires and the road, reducing the car’s braking performance and increasing the risk of skidding. Therefore, drivers should hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, maintain a straight course at a low speed, and when turning, gently apply the brakes to prevent the tires from locking up and causing the vehicle to skid.

3. Drive slowly in low gear. No matter how wide or narrow the road is, or how good or bad the road surface condition may be, when driving in rain or snow, try to use second or third gear and keep your speed below 30 km/h or 40 km/h. Always pay close attention to the distance between your vehicle and the vehicles ahead and behind you, and be mentally prepared at all times to take various emergency measures. If you need to stop, slow down gradually about 100 meters in advance and lightly tap the brakes, giving the vehicles behind you sufficient time to prepare for any emergency situation.

4. Prevent getting stuck in water. When driving through areas with standing water, under overpasses, or through deep trench tunnels where large amounts of water may overflow onto the road surface, you should first stop and check the depth of the water. If the water depth exceeds the exhaust pipe, it can easily cause the vehicle to stall; if the water depth surpasses the bumper, water is likely to enter the vehicle. Avoid crossing ditches or puddles at high speed, as this can create splashes that significantly increase the actual depth of the water you're driving through, making it easier for water to enter the engine.

  5. Pay attention to observing pedestrians. Due to pedestrians holding umbrellas and cyclists wearing raincoats in rainy or snowy weather, their vision, hearing, and reaction times are all impaired. Sometimes, they even dash across streets or make sharp turns in a hurry, often panicking and slipping just as vehicles approach, leaving drivers caught off guard. When encountering such situations, drivers should slow down and proceed cautiously, patiently giving way to pedestrians and cyclists. If necessary, they can pull over safely to a roadside stop—under no circumstances should they impatiently rush ahead, competing with pedestrians or cyclists for the right of way.

For your safety and the safety of your family, please be sure to remember this!