1. Road Safety During Monsoon

2. MONSOON DRIVING ► First rains ► The first rains always make the roads the most difficult to drive on, as the mud and oil on the dry road combines with the water and forms a rather slippery layer. ► Drivers are likely to experience reduced control, and are cautioned to be extra careful for the first half-hour after it begins to rain. ► Roads with freshly laid bitumen become very slippery when wet and care should be taken while traveling on these stretches

3. MONSOON DRIVING ► Hydroplaning / Aquaplaning ► During heavy rains a layer of water builds up beneath your tyres. As you drive at higher speeds, the car begins sliding on this layer and can cause you to loose all contact with the ground. This is called hydroplaning, and greatly reduces control, allowing even slight gusts of wind to cause your car to skid. Thus it is extremely advisable to avoid high speeds during rains. ► If your car hydroplanes: completely stop acceleration keep the steering steady avoid braking till the speed reduces and the tyres grip the roads again.

4. MONSOON DRIVING ► Keep your distance ► All cars require some minimum distance - called the "stopping distance" -before its comes to a complete halt once the brakes are applied. "Normal" Stopping distances for cars at different speeds Normal Stopping distances Dry Roads Wet Roads 40 kms per hour 30 metres 36 metres 50 kms per hour 45 metres 53 metres 70 kms per hour 65 metres 75 metres 85 kms per hour 90 metres 105 metres 100 kms per hour 120 metres 140 metres Reduced road grip during the rains increases "stopping distances". Make sure that your tyres and brakes are in good condition and that you maintain an extra safe distance from the vehicles in front.

5. MONSOON DRIVING ► Driving through flooded roads It is important to judge whether your car can, in the first place, go through the flooded road. Switch off the AC as the electric fan that operates the AC is likely to throw water on to the engine Drive in the centre of the road, where the water is probably the shallowest. Moreover there is a possibility of getting stuck in open manholes and gutters at the side of the road which cannot be spotted as they are submerged ► Drive in the first gear, with the accelerator constantly pressed, using the clutch to control speed. (especially if the exhaust is submerged under the water) While traversing a flooded stretch of road, drive in a low gear and avoid changing the gear ► Drive as slowly as possible to avoid the water splashing over the engine

6. MONSOON DRIVING ► Braking ► Your brakes tend to become less effective in the rains, or when you have driven through a flooded road, especially drum brakes. ► Pump the brakes repeatedly so that the heat generated evaporates the moisture, and braking ability is restored to normal. ► If you feel that you are skidding or when you are driving fast in the rains, never apply brakes at a single stretch, but do so intermittently, braking, and releasing pressure before braking again