TOP TIPS FOR DRIVING IN THE UAE RAIN

Driving in the UAE rain can be very dangerous if you are not careful. The roads get very slippery and it is harder to see clearly through the raindrops on the windshield. But for those of us on the road, it can mean a tricky drive. You see, here in the desert, we don’t get rain very often, so when it does rain, it’s important to know how to handle it.

That’s why we’ve put together some top tips to help you drive safely in the UAE rain. Checking your car and knowing what to do on the road can make all the difference.

In this blog, we’ll tell you all about how to prepare your car for the rain, what to do when you’re driving in it, etc. So, let’s get started and learn how to be rain-ready in the UAE!

Slow Down Your Speed

When it is raining in the UAE, you need to drive slower than normal. Driving too fast makes it much more likely that your car will start sliding out of control on the wet roads. Slower speeds give your tires a better grip. They also give you more time to react if something unexpected happens up ahead.

A good rule is to reduce your speed by 10-20 km/hr from the posted speed limit when driving in light rain. In heavier rain, you may need to go even slower than that – maybe only 60-70 km/hr on highways. The harder the rain is falling, the slower you should drive. It takes longer to stop when roads are wet, so leave plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front of you.

Avoid Aggressive Driving 

On slippery, wet roads, any sudden driving trick increases your chances of losing control of the vehicle. Do not make fast lane changes or turns or accelerate/brake aggressively. All actions should be slow, smooth, and gradual when it is raining. Resist the urge to weave through traffic.

Maintain a firm but gentle grip on the steering wheel, scanning far ahead to anticipate hazards early. Accelerate and decelerate gradually to avoid spinning your wheels. Take turns at lower speeds and as straight a line as possible. Give yourself plenty of time and distance for maneuvers.

Increase the Following Distance

When dry conditions are good, it is recommended to maintain at least a gap between your vehicle and the one in front of you. But when it is raining heavily, those two seconds are not enough distance for safe braking if the lead vehicle stops suddenly. You need much more room.

A safe following distance in the rain is five to six seconds behind the car ahead of you. This gives you time to identify hazards, react to changing conditions, and stop safely without slamming on your brakes. The larger gap acts as a safety buffer if you start to hydroplane or slide.

Use Headlights and Hazard Lights

Always use your headlights when it is raining, even if it is just a drizzle during the day. Having your headlights on increases your visibility to other drivers around you, which is crucial in low-visibility rain.

If it is raining extremely heavily to the point where visibility is terrible, you can also turn on your hazard lights. This warns other drivers around you that conditions are treacherous and they need to be extra cautious. Only use hazards for short stretches though – not for regular driving in rain.

Avoid Standing Water and Flooded Areas

Sometimes heavy rain UAE causes flooding on roads, where large puddles or pools of water accumulate. Standing water could conceal large potholes or debris that could severely damage your tires and undercarriage if driven through.

Flood waters are often much deeper than they appear on the surface. As little as 15-30 cm of flowing water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and potentially be swept away.

If you cannot avoid going through some shallow standing water, drive through it slowly in first gear to avoid stalling the engine.

Check Tires and Windshield Wipers

Having good tires and working windshield wipers is critical for safe driving in the UAE rain. Bald or excessively worn tires offer almost no traction on wet roads and dramatically increase stopping distances. Replace any tires that have too little remaining tread depth.

Windshield wipers that are cracked, torn, or leaving streaks mean they are not clearing water effectively from your line of sight.

You may need to replace the wiper blades if they are not clearing properly. Make sure windshield wiper fluid is also topped up so you can periodically clear your windshield while driving.

Properly Maintain Your Vehicle  

In addition to tires and wipers, other key vehicle components and systems need to be well-maintained for safe driving. Brakes in good working order are critical, as stopping distances increase dramatically on wet roads.

Test your brakes before entering slippery conditions. Headlights, taillights, and turn signals must all work properly to increase visibility and signal intentions to other drivers. Windshield glass should not have any significant cracks that could worsen in the rain.

Take steps before the rainy season to ensure your vehicle is prepared to handle the wet conditions. Visit a mechanic for any needed maintenance work.

Avoid Hydroplaning and Skids

Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between a vehicle’s tires and the road surface. At higher speeds, the tires can completely lose contact with the road and start riding on top of the water layer. This causes a complete loss of traction and steering control.

To avoid hydroplaning, slow down whenever there is heavy rain UAE standing water on the roads. Bald or excessively worn tires further increase the hydroplaning risk, as the tread grooves cannot properly channel the water away.

If your vehicle does begin to hydroplane, take your foot off the accelerator and avoid any sudden steering or braking inputs until you regain control. A skid is when your tires lose their grip and start sliding sideways across the road. Remain calm and gently steer in the direction of the skid while taking your foot off the accelerator.

Focus and Drive Cautiously 

Rainy conditions demand your full concentration and attention when driving. Avoid operating any distractions inside the vehicle like mobile phones, loud music, or eating/drinking. Keep your eyes continually scanning all around you for pedestrians, animals, or obstacles that might be obscured by rainfall.

Plan your driving routes carefully during heavy storms to avoid high-risk areas prone to flooding, fallen trees, or debris. If conditions become too dangerous with zero visibility or extreme water accumulations, it may be safest to pull over and wait out the worst parts of the storm.

By exercising heightened caution and focus, driving at slower speeds suited to the wet conditions, and preparing your vehicle properly, you can stay safe on UAE roads when it is raining. Stay alert, avoid unnecessary risks, and you will reach your destination securely.

Wrapping Up

When the UAE rain today creates challenging driving conditions, play it safe by adjusting your habits and exercising extreme caution. However, if your car does fall victim to flood damage, bring it to the experts at Munich Motor Works.

As a leading car repair workshop in Dubai with over 15 years of experience, Munich Motor Works is your go-to destination for professional flooded car repair and water flood car repair services. Our skilled technicians utilize the latest tools and techniques to properly assess and restore flood damage car repair issues.

Whether your vehicle needs a simple flood car repair specialist inspection or extensive flood damage car repair work, Munich Motor Works has the expertise to get your car back on the road safely and reliably. We are the trusted flood car repair specialist for drivers throughout the UAE.

Don’t let heavy UAE rain put your safety at risk or cause long-lasting damage to your vehicle. Put your mind at ease by trusting the capable hands of Munich Motor Works’ car repair specialist team.