5 car safety driving tips during monsoon season
If you are a car owner in India, you would know that you are likely to face many challenges on the road while driving. The long signals, the massive traffic jams, bad roads, speed bumps, bad driving behaviour, and so much more. When it rains, you have to deal with all these hassles and the additional challenges like low visibility, flooded roads, etc.
It is important that you take appropriate safety measures while driving during the monsoon season. However, if you are not familiar with these safety measures, we have you covered. We list down a few simple and effective tips that would keep you and your family safe.
Check the wipers
While you are driving in the rain, you would want to ensure that you have 100 percent clear vision. And, one component that helps the cause is the windshield wipers on the car. The rubber strip on the wipers clears the dripping water, and dirt build-up that hinders your view of the road. Since the wipers are critical for driving safely in the rain, ensure that they are working fine before you start the car. If needed, replace them.
Keep the headlights on
During the monsoon, low visibility is a common issue. And, while driving your car, if the visibility is low, it can put you and the pedestrians on the road at great risk. So, while it is raining heavily, make sure that you keep your headlight on always so that you can see better and let other drivers know that you are around. Make sure you check that the headlight is functioning efficiently and the light is bright.
Test the tyres
During monsoon, it is advisable that you check your car tyres daily before you hit the road. You must check the tyre pressure as it tends to lose pressure during monsoon. Also, it is vital to check the tyre treads; it must be at least 2mm deep. This is vital for the tyres to have a firm grip on wet roads.
Most tyres have a tread indicator, and if the tread level is lower than 1.6mm, it is better to get a new set of tyres. Another effective way to test the tread level on the car tyre is to push a one Rupee coin into the tread, and check how deep it goes. It if barely sinks, you must definitely get new tyres.
Stop and take a break
While it is raining outside, you may feel tempted to go on a long drive. Nothing wrong with that. But, while you are on the road, if the rain is heavy and you face difficulty controlling your vehicle or if the visibility is low, it is better to find a good spot on the side and stop. However, make sure that you keep the headlights and the taillights on so that the passers-by can easily spot your car and avoid collision.
Keep an emergency kit in the car
Whether you are driving to work or going on a family holiday, as soon as the monsoon season begins, keep an emergency kit in the car. This would come in handy when you get stuck on the road. The kit should have following items
• Umbrella or raincoat
• Flashlight (additional pair of batteries)
• Power bank
• Dry snacks and water bottle
• Extra pair of clothes
• Mosquito repellent
• Sturdy shoes
While you follow all the above tips to be safe while driving in monsoon season, it is important that you are also prepared in advance for the unexpected. Sometimes, you can get into an accident due to someone else's fault. In such a situation, a car insurance policy would come in handy to help you get compensation from the insurance company for the damages you may suffer.
If you don’t have car insurance yet, you can consider buying the Kotak Car Secure, a comprehensive car insurance plan that helps you get complete protection against both third-party damages and own damage. Visit our car insurance page to buy this car insurance online.
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Disclaimer: The content provided is for education and informational purpose only, none of the information contained in our blog amounts to any form of opinion or advice. Please go through policy related documents carefully or consult an expert before making any insurance-related decisions.