SINGAPORE - It can be as simple as switching on windscreen wipers when the drizzle starts. But some drivers forget to do that even when it rains, according to the Automobile Association (AA) of Singapore.
And when it pours, as it does between October and January, traffic accidents can rise by up to 50 per cent, said a lawyer who specialises in accident cases. However, Mr Sarindar Singh, 63, who has more than 30 years' experience, stressed that weather was only one reason for the spike.
February was the driest month in Singapore's history but the rains are back and now crashes hold up traffic on a wet day. Last week, three accidents took place within a one-km stretch of road near Changi Airport.
Mr Singh handles more cases involving traffic accidents during the rainy season. "Here, drivers ... tailgate you. If you put your foot down on the brake, there's bound to be an accident," he said.
Other causes of accidents include speeding, impatience and insufficient attention to road conditions.
An AA spokesperson said headlights should not be high beam when it rains. It may "cause unwanted glare and make it harder for you to see clearly", she said.
With the gradual onset of inter-monsoon conditions in the next fortnight, afternoon showers with thunder are expected on some days, according to a National Environment Agency spokesman.
The Traffic Police advise motorists to move to a safe spot and stop at the side of the road with their hazard lights turned on if they cannot see clearly.
A distributor of sports cars, Mr Stephen Sng, CEO of Automobil Manufactur, said drivers of such cars get into accidents on wet roads because they are inexperienced. He imports cars like the $2 million Pagani Zonda from Italy, which has a maximum speed of 345kmh, and the $348,000 Mitsuoka from Japan, which can hit 280kmh.
When the road is wet, a thin film of water causes a car to lose some contact with the road, which can cause it to aquaplane and skid out of control. "There's no grip. The car is still moving straight but it is floating. So drivers should just slow down even though they're driving sports cars," he added.
Even going over puddles of water can affect a car's brakes when water enters the brake drum behind the rear wheel, said a driving instructor with 25 years' experience. Drivers could brake intermittently to remove water to ensure the brakes continue to work properly, said Mr Jonah Phua, 56.
[SOURCE: http://www.todayonline.com]
No comments:
Post a Comment