Good Vision in a Downpour

I thought this tip from a policeman about how to achieve good vision during a heavy downpour, even at night, was too important not to pass it on.


"Most  motorists turn wipers on the HIGH or FASTEST SPEED during a heavy downpour, yet the visibility through the windshield is still bad.

In the event you face such a situation, just put on your SUNGLASSES (any model will do), and miracles! All of a sudden, your visibility will be perfectly clear, as if there is no rain.

Amazingly, you still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. You can see where the rain bounces off the road, but it works to eliminate the "blindness" from passing cars or the "kickup" if you are following a car in the rain.

Make sure you always have a pair of SUNGLASSES in your car. You are not only helping yourself to drive safely with good vision, but also might save your friend's life by giving him this idea."

Another good tip:

A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago. It was raining, though not excessively when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence! When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened, he told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON.

She thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe, consistent speed in the rain, but the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on, your car will begin to hydro-plane when the tires lose contact with the road, and your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off like an aeroplane.

She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred. The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USETHE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR ICY , along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the road is dry."