Driver Safety - Driving in Inclement Weather for Right-Side Drivers
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Regardless of how experienced a driver is, inclement weather can put both them and those around them at risk. Rain, fog, snow, and sleet are the most common forms of inclement weather that regular drivers will face. In this subject, learners will be taught precautions they can take before driving in storms, what to do if visibility is lost during the storm, and techniques for navigating their vehicle through dangerous incidents like hydroplaning or skidding on ice. Note: This content is written for those who drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Regardless of how experienced a driver is, inclement weather can put both them and those around them at risk. Rain, fog, snow, and sleet are the most common forms of inclement weather that regular drivers will face. In this subject, learners will be taught precautions they can take before driving in storms, what to do if visibility is lost during the storm, and techniques for navigating their vehicle through dangerous incidents like hydroplaning or skidding on ice. Note: This content is written for those who drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Languages: English
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: Regardless of how experienced a driver is, inclement weather can put both them and those around them at risk. Rain, fog, snow, and sleet are the most common forms of inclement weather that regular drivers will face. In this subject, learners will be taught precautions they can take before driving in storms, what to do if visibility is lost during the storm, and techniques for navigating their vehicle through dangerous incidents like hydroplaning or skidding on ice. Note: This content is written for those who drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Topics
Driving in Rain - Right-Side Drivers
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Driving during a rainstorm can be overwhelming and dangerous, so it’s important you take precautions to keep yourself and other drivers safe. In this topic, you’ll learn safety tips for driving in the rain, what to do if your vehicle hydroplanes, and how you can make sure your visibility is maintained when it’s raining heavily.
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Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
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This topic is currently available in English.
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If you notice heavy rain is in the weather forecast, postpone your drive until after the storm has passed instead of trying to fulfill your route during it.
Turn your headlights on when it’s raining, even during the daytime. This will help increase your visibility and help other drivers see you.
If the street you’re driving on has multiple lanes, drive in the one closest to the middle of the road. Roads are angled so stormwater drains along the side of them, so driving in the middle lane will allow you to drive in the driest conditions possible.
When you’re driving in the rain, safely steer clear of puddles and flooded or low-lying areas. Driving through puddles can cause your vehicle to hydroplane and lose traction on the road.
Hydroplaning is when your vehicle’s tires briefly lose contact with the road because of water on it, which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, release the gas pedal and steer in the direction that you’re skidding until your tires gain traction again, then brake gently.
Avoid following buses or large trucks too closely when it’s raining. Their tires can spray water onto your windshield which reduces your visibility of the road.
If at any point you lose visibility of the road, safely and slowly pull over to the side of the road and put your flashing hazard lights on until visibility is regained. Braking and pulling over slowly gives other drivers enough time to react.
Driving in Fog - Right-Side Drivers
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Fog can seriously limit your visibility while driving, so you need to have an understanding of how to safely navigate your way through it. In this topic, you’ll learn about ways that you can make sure you’re keeping yourself and other drivers safe in fog.
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Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
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This topic is currently available in English.
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When you’re driving in fog, turn on your regular headlights, whether it’s during the day or the night, rather than using your high beam headlights. High beam headlights reflect off the fog and reduce visibility.
Focus on the right-hand edge of the road as a guide rather than the middle line. This is because if you do lose visibility, it is safer to be on the right side of the road than near oncoming traffic.
If possible, avoid changing lanes or passing other vehicles in the fog. Your vision is already reduced, so stay in one lane if you can.
Look for slow moving or parked vehicles on the road ahead of you so you have enough time to plan how to react.
If at any point you lose visibility of the road, safely and slowly pull over to the side of the road and put your flashing hazard lights on until visibility is regained. Braking and pulling over slowly gives other drivers enough time to react.
Driving in Snow and Sleet - Right-Side Drivers
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Snow and sleet are dangerous conditions to be driving in, especially because it can be difficult to see ice on a road. In this subject, you’ll learn about how to drive safely in snow and sleet, including what to do if you lose control of your vehicle and it begins to slide.
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Questions (level 1, 2, 3)
Video module
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This topic is currently available in English.
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Make sure your vehicle is winterized before driving in snow and sleet. This includes making sure it has winter tires, antifreeze, and enough windshield washer fluid.
Elevated areas are the first to freeze in winter conditions, so drive with extra caution when crossing bridges or travelling in higher elevations.
Do not speed or make unexpected sharp turns because there may be black ice on the road that’s not visible to you, causing you to lose control of your vehicle.
In snow or sleet, begin braking well ahead of time when approaching a stop light, stop sign, or a street you’re turning onto. Not only will this give you time to react if you begin skidding on ice, but it will also allow vehicles behind you to brake earlier, too.
Accelerate gently when you begin driving your vehicle from a stand-still in snow or sleet. This helps your tires avoid spinning out of control if your vehicle is on a sheet of ice.
If you have to stop abruptly in snow or sleet or lose control of your vehicle, do not slam on your brakes. Instead, press and release them numerous times to help the tires gain traction on the road.
If at any point you lose visibility of the road or it is too slippery to drive, safely and slowly pull over to the side of the road and put your flashing hazard lights on until visibility and traction is regained. Braking and pulling over slowly gives other drivers enough time to react.
If you’re driving a vehicle that uses an anti-lock brake system (ABS) brakes, do not pump your brakes. Instead, apply firm, steady pressure on the brakes until your vehicle stops.
If your vehicle begins to skid on snow or sleet, turn your steering wheel in the direction that your vehicle’s back end is skidding. This will help you guide the vehicle back to its safest path.
