The roads are slick with rain, visibility is at a low, and you’ve got places to be. According to a report released by MoRTH in 2023, over 70,000 accidents occurred in the monsoon months of July and August 2022 in India. Wet weather reduces a driver’s visibility and the tyre’s friction on the road, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents on the road. Samir Gupta, Head of Central Region – BA Tires APAC, Managing Director – Continental Tires India, shares, “With a strong focus on quality products, we are committed to increasing safety on Indian roads through our innovations and road safety initiatives.”
With the rainy season upon us in India, Tolga Mutlu, from Continental Tires APAC gives us his take on keeping your tyres in tip-top shape for wet weather driving and some practical tips for staying safe on the roads.
Why does driving in wet weather need to be extra careful?
Tolga explains: Understanding aquaplaning/hydroplaning
The first rain shower after a dry spell can mix with oil and debris on the road to cause a particularly slick road surface. Aquaplaning or hydroplaning is when car tyres lose contact with the surface of wet roads, effectively rendering the driver incapable of braking or steering the car.
Multiple factors play a role in this – the driving speed, the type of tyres you use, the state of your tyres, and even the condition of the roads. However, what’s within your control is the performance of your vehicle in wet weather.
Besides reducing your speed in wet weather, addressing what’s within your control will give you and your loved ones the best and safest driving experience – your tyres. Treads on your tyre work to expel water in wet conditions so that your car tyre maintains contact with the road for grip and traction. That’s why it’s important that ahead of the anticipated rainy season, it is good practice for motorists to check that their tyres meet the proper tread depth and are at an optimal pressure. That, combined with good driving habits can help to ensure more stable and confident driving during the rainy season.
Practical Tips
- Brake carefully and be in full control
Try to look as far ahead on the road as possible, and slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator – rather than hitting the brakes. In wet weather, your brakes are not going to respond as quickly as they would in dry conditions. In fact, avoid using your brakes unless needed. Braking suddenly on a wet road can cause your car to skid. Finally, take your car off cruise control – you need to be in control of your car. - Keep more distance between yourself and other vehicles
Give other drivers more space. It takes about three times longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads. Since more distance is required to brake, it is important not to tailgate. Keep more than two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. This will also help you avoid spray from other (particularly larger) vehicles, which can inhibit visibility, too. - Keep your lights on
Keep your headlights on to increase your visibility and ensure your brake lights are functional. - Check on tyre inflation
Maintaining an optimal air pressure will help maximise its grip, which is especially crucial to enhancing drivers’ safety when driving on wet roads. The correct air pressure for your tyres is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge. The number listed on the side of the tyre is not the recommended air pressure for your tyre – it is the maximum air pressure for the tyre. - Check your tyre treads to ensure they are not worn
Check that your tyre tread depth is still safe. New tyres can disperse up to 30 litres of water a second at 80 kilometres per hour. The depth of the tyre tread wears down over the course of regular usage and consequently. If tyres have a tread depth of 3mm remaining, tyres can still retain a high amount of their water displacement capability. After this point, the risk of skidding on wet roads increases dramatically. A diminished tread also affects braking performance. The more worn the tread on a car’s tyres becomes, the longer it takes to come to a complete stop. - Use the latest tyre technologies that help with safety and grip
Choose tyres that are designed specifically to run on wet roads. Their unique tread patterns and advanced rubber compounds work together to efficiently disperse water and maintain maximum contact with the road surface. Wet weather tyres are typically designed with zigzag sipes to water quickly from the tyre grooves. This results in superior wet braking performance, allowing the vehicle to stop quickly and safely even in slippery conditions.
