How to Watch for Pedestrians in the Rain

Driving in the rain is hazardous enough without having to contend with moving obstacles. If you frequent well-traveled roadways in suburban areas, however, you must be prepared to brake for all manner of animals and people. It is your responsibility as a motorist to avoid hitting anything that suddenly appears in your path, which is why experts recommend keeping an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists in the rain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Good windshield wipers

Drive Carefully

1. Slow down at the first sign of rain. Even if your visibility isn't impaired yet, oils on the road can mix with the condensation to create a dangerously slick surface.
2. Test the brakes when there is no one behind you to ensure that they are operating correctly. This is especially important after you have crossed a deep puddle or flooded roadway, as automobile brakes can occasionally fail when they are saturated.
3. Turn your windshield wipers up to a high speed. It's better to deal with the mild irritation of spastic blades than contend with impaired vision.
4. Flip on the brights at night. This will provide you with a wider and higher field of vision to cut through the torrent, enabling you to watch for pedestrians more easily.

Open Your Eyes

5. Scan the roadway at regular intervals. If the rain is really coming down, you may not be able to make out any detail more than a few dozen feet ahead of you.
6. Watch for shapes, not colors. Flat light and pounding rain can "gray out" the world around you, but the silhouettes of pedestrians will remain distinctive.
7. Slow down in commercial areas. If you notice convenience stores or other shops that might inspire walking errands, you're more likely to encounter pedestrians on the road.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not assume that, just because the road belongs to motorists, you don't have to drive defensively! Plenty of rural areas include stretches of road without sidewalks, so you simply must stay vigilant, even if you can legally claim the "right of way."
• If a collision does occur, your first priority should be to get the car and the pedestrian off the road and out of harm's way. Put your hazards on and lay down flares if you have an emergency car kit. If there is a chance that the struck pedestrian has suffered a back or neck injury, do not move her.
• Replace your windshield wipers if they are no longer doing a flawless job. Wipers that leave streaks or smears when they are operating may fail altogether at any moment. Simple preventive maintenance in this area can save lives--including your own.
• Do not let your sweeps of the side of the road keep you from looking straight ahead. One glance is all you need to watch for pedestrians, and then it's time to return your eyes to the road.