Speed limit on rainy day

Rainislove

Hi,
What awould be the max practical speed on a 60,50,30 km road on a rainy day? Does the speed varies on raining and after raining?

Chancer3001

The speed limit doesn't vary.

The braking distance varies considerably though

Adventagious

Just drive the conditions - like if its a heavy rainstorm and a lot of fast moving traffic then you're going to be driving completely differently to a light rain with a few cars about. If its stopped raining but still slick then allow more space and time between you and the cars around.

Like Chancer says be extra mindful that your stopping distance is going to be much longer, two or three times depending on the rain/speed.

seamus

You must drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

This rule holds for all road conditions. If it's monsoon rain and you can only see 3m in front of the vehicle, then you should drive at a speed where you could stop within 3m.

Road conditions are just as important as visibility. Even if the clouds have parted and the sun is out, wet roads have longer stopping distances. In particular, roads after a light shower tend to be the greasiest, or roads that are just on the verge of drying out after a heavy downpour.

Rainislove

seamus wrote: »

You must drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

This rule holds for all road conditions. If it's monsoon rain and you can only see 3m in front of the vehicle, then you should drive at a speed where you could stop within 3m.

Road conditions are just as important as visibility. Even if the clouds have parted and the sun is out, wet roads have longer stopping distances. In particular, roads after a light shower tend to be the greasiest, or roads that are just on the verge of drying out after a heavy downpour.

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front. So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

Victor

Rainislove wrote: »

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front.

I'm not sure if that is the best way to decide it, as the shape of other vehicles varies. Keep 3 seconds between the vehicle in front and you.

So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

2-3 times more for a wet road, 10 times if there is snow or ice.

Rainislove

Victor wrote: »

Rainislove wrote: »

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front.

I'm not sure if that is the best way to decide it, as the shape of other vehicles varies. Keep 3 seconds between the vehicle in front and you.

So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

2-3 times more for a wet road, 10 times if there is snow or ice.

I  will keep this on mind. As per the weather forecast, my test day is cloudy with 2 mm rain...

seamus

Rainislove wrote: »

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front. So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

That's awful advice, though not the first time I've heard it.

It's good advice for stopping in traffic - if you can't see the rear tyres of the car in front when you're stopped in traffic, then you're too close. But for general driving it's a terrible rule of thumb, it means you could be driving 3m from the car in front at 100km/h.

The 2/3 second rule is about the best way to measure it.

biko

Drive the conditions. This means you should be able to slam on the brakes without risking skidding or sliding in rain/wet leaves/puddles/etc.
Yes, it means you will initially drive like a granny but as experience grows, so does confidence, and you will soon be able to gauge how fast is too fast for the conditions.
Error on the side of caution until then.

Samuel T. Cogley

Rainislove wrote: »

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front. So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

When you're stopped the rule of thumb is tyres and tarmac. E.g. you can see the back wheels and a bit of road. Are you sure you're not confusing this? Basically when driving pick a spot and as the car infront passes it say "Only a prick misses the two second trick". You shouldn't pass the same spot until you've said that. In wet conditions say it twice. In the snow, just stay at home :pac:

appukuttan

Do I need to take care of any rules which are applicable for a rainy day other than the stopping distance?

seamus

Keep an eye on the road surface, especially at roundabouts and bends - it can be substantially slipperier than you expect. As the road surface begins to dry, oils make their way to the top and can create a slick water/oil mix on the road which gives you less traction than you expect.

So go easy through turns and brake before the bend, not in the bend. That's a general rule for all road conditions but you should heed it especially after heavy rain.

Also make sure your window washer is full before you set out. Your window will be filthy in seconds on a day like today and it's a nightmare if you can't clean it.

Sabre0001

seamus wrote: »

That's awful advice, though not the first time I've heard it.

It's good advice for stopping in traffic - if you can't see the rear tyres of the car in front when you're stopped in traffic, then you're too close. But for general driving it's a terrible rule of thumb, it means you could be driving 3m from the car in front at 100km/h.

The 2/3 second rule is about the best way to measure it.

I had a friend who had it completely arseways and thought you were supposed to be within a distance where you couldn't see all of back tires! And they thought there was a conspiracy when they didn't pass test first time

OP, the 2-3 second rule highlighted is a measure. But as others have said, driving to the conditions is most important.

ohnonotgmail

Rainislove wrote: »

My instructor always asking me to keep a stopping distance as a rule of thumb, so that I can see the back tires of the vehicles moving in-front. So for a wet road, do I need to keep more than that?

are you sure that wasn't the rule for determining if you are too close to the car in front when stopped at traffic lights?