Recently, heavy rain has occurred across many regions nationwide, causing localized flooding and making roads slippery, which limits driver visibility. When driving in these conditions, a vehicle ahead, especially a large automobile, can splash water onto the following vehicle's windshield. This can cause drivers to suddenly lose visibility and react incorrectly.

This situation is often more pronounced when following or encountering trucks, buses, or SUVs, due to their large wheels and the greater volume of water they displace. If the distance between two vehicles is too short, the trailing driver has almost no time to react.

A common reaction is to brake hard or swerve to avoid the sheet of water. However, on wet roads, sudden braking can cause the vehicle to decelerate abruptly. Meanwhile, sharp steering with limited visibility can lead drivers to lose control of the space beside them.

**Maintain vehicle direction, gradually reduce speed**

When the windshield is suddenly covered with water, the first thing a driver should do is keep the steering wheel stable, avoiding sudden braking or swerving. Following this, the driver needs to reduce speed while maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead.

At this moment, the driver can quickly check the rearview mirrors to ascertain the position of vehicles behind, especially when driving near trucks, buses, or in heavy traffic. This information helps the driver adjust speed appropriately, preventing an overly sudden deceleration if a vehicle is following closely. Additionally, drivers should activate the windshield wipers to quickly restore visibility. If the view ahead is not clear, drivers should not change lanes or attempt to overtake other vehicles.

If following a truck or bus, drivers should actively increase the following distance. It is not advisable to drive too closely behind, as these larger vehicles can obscure obstacles or change direction unexpectedly before the trailing vehicle has time to react.

**Check tires and wipers before driving in rain**

The ability to handle such situations also depends on the vehicle's condition. Worn wiper blades can leave streaks on the windshield, further impairing already limited visibility. A dusty windshield or one with an oily film can also cause glare when encountering light from other vehicle headlights in the rain.

Vehicle tires also require regular inspection. Tire treads help drain water from the contact patch with the road. When tires are worn, their water drainage capability and grip on wet roads can decrease.

Therefore, during the rainy season, drivers should regularly check tires, wiper blades, and clean the windshield. They should also proactively reduce speed and increase following distance during heavy rain. Good preparation helps limit situations of lost visibility and provides more time to react when roads are wet.

Hai Dang