driving on a rainy weather · • abs braking system: the objective of your anti‐lock braking...

GULF STABILIZERS INDUSTRIES (GSI) الشرآة الخليجية للمواد الكيماوية المضافة

DRIVING ON A RAINY WEATHERDRIVING ON A RAINY WEATHERGSI Safety & Health DepartmentGSI Safety & Health Department


What Are Flash Floods?A flash flood is a rapid

rise of water along a stream or low‐f glying urban area. Flash flooddamage and most fatalities tend tooccur in areas immediately adjacentto a stream or arroyo, due to aycombination of heavy rain, dambreak, levee failure, rapid snowmelt,and ice jams. Additionally, heavyrain falling on steep terrain canweaken soil and cause debris flow,damaging homes, roads, andproperty.

Flash floods can beproduced when slow moving ormultiple thunderstorms occur overthe same area. When storms movefaster, flash flooding is less likely

GSI Safety & Health DepartmentGSI Safety & Health Department

since the rain is distributed over abroader area.


What to do in case of flash flood?

1. Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Back up and t diff t t


try a different route.



2. Stay on a higher ground.


3. Listen to the radio for weather information. Take routesthat avoid known flooded areas. Information is readilyavailable from the Office of the Civil Defense which will


available from the Office of the Civil Defense, which willalert you when flash flood warnings or watches are issued.


4. Do not stay in a flooded car. If your vehicle issurrounded by floodwater, abandon the vehicle and


surrounded by floodwater, abandon the vehicle andmove immediately to higher ground.


5. If your car is swept into the water and submerged, DON'T PANIC!Stay calm and Immediately unlock doors, roll down windows orsunroof. Release your seatbelt. Help the elderly & children. A door


f y p yopens when the water is above your knees, but as it descends thisoption is gone.. Hold your breath and swim to the surface.


6. If you are swept into fast moving floodwater outside ofyour car, point your feet downstream. Always go over


obstacles, never try to go under.


7. If you are stranded on something above the floodwater,such as a tree or building, stay put and wait for rescue. Do


such as a tree or building, stay put and wait for rescue. Donot enter the floodwater.


Floods are one of the most severe weatherevents that can occur and a top reason forweather related deaths. In fact, floods areconsidered billion dollar eather disasters J stconsidered billion dollar weather disasters. Justsix inches of fast‐moving water can sweep anadult off their feet (even less for those who areadult off their feet (even less for those who aredisabled or young children). And, if you think youare safe in your truck or sport utility vehicle,think again. It takes only two feet of water tocarry away most vehicles.



1 Losing control of your car on wet pavement is a frightening experience Unfortunately it can happen unless1. Losing control of your car on wet pavement is a frightening experience. Unfortunately, it can happen unless you take preventive measures.

2. In all sorts of rain, you can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. When you need to stop or slow, do not brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.

3. If you do find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Avoid using your brakes. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of your car in line with the front.

4. While skids on wet pavement may be frightening, hydroplaning is completely nerve‐wracking. Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of thehappens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car s weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. At this point, your car can be completely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane.

5. To avoid hydroplaning, keep good tread on your tires and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.

6. If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car has anti‐lock brakes, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action.


mimic a pumping action.7. A good defensive driver adjusts his or her speed to the wet road conditions in time to avoid having to use

any of these measures!


• Windshield Wipers and Washer Fluid: Keeping a clear view of your surrounding is vitally important during rain. The dirt and grime f th k i d hi ld di t If i i d f l t t i th ill l t k d ft dfrom the cars make your windshield dirty. If your wipers are in need of replacement, turning them on will leave streaks and often reduce rather than improve your view of the road. Having plenty of fresh washer fluid helps when the dirty road mist covers your windshield. It is also a good idea to inspect these areas BEFORE you need them.

• ABS Braking System: The objective of your Anti‐Lock Braking System is to prevent the car from skidding when the brakes are applied heavily When the brakes lock up the tires skid On a rainy street this can spell disaster because tires don’t stop your car as well as theheavily. When the brakes lock up, the tires skid. On a rainy street, this can spell disaster because tires don t stop your car as well as the ABS system. You must have your braking system inspected periodically to ensure it is working properly. One area of concern, especially in the newer braking systems, is the brake fluid quality. When brake fluid breaks down, it can begin to damage components in the brake system. If you haven’t had your brake system in a while, now would be a good time

• Tires: Most of us know how important good traction is to emergency situations. The rain makes it much more important to pay attention to your tire tread. And something more… Make sure your tires are properly inflated. This helps you keep the maximum amount of tread on the road and the correct amount of control.

• Shocks and Struts: Your shocks and struts also play an important role in your car’s ability to avoid accidents. Poor shocks or struts can make your car mushy and less responsive in turns. When you brake and turn sharply, the car may sway too much. It’s important to h h k d t t i di ll Th d i bilit d f t t th t i t tchange your shocks and struts periodically. These are drive‐ability and safety components that are very important.



I th Ki d f S di A bi b t 3 500 l di d 28 000 i j d iIn the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia about 3,500 people die and 28,000 are injured in over153,000 traffic accidents each year. Official sources attribute the causes of thesecrashes to aggressive driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic signals, Poor carmaintenance, including tires and brakesS di i l f t ffi id t i ti t d t b t 21 billi i lSaudi economic loss from traffic accidents is estimated at about 21 billion riyalsannually=5,6 billion$

Fast Facts: SAR 2 Billion worth of cars and houses damaged.SAR 2 Billion worth of cars and houses damaged.1.6 Billion damages in King Abdullah University.3 thousand cars involved.400 kilometers of damage roads.


gmore or less 500 lives (source: UK news)not including the cost for the other vital infrastructures.


Don't rely exclusively on official warning. If flash floods are possiblemove to higher ground as soon as possible.Don't walk into moving water. Just six inches of moving water canknock you down.D 't ti t ' bilit t d i th h fl d t SiDon't overestimate your car's ability to drive through floodwater. Sixinches of water is enough to reach the bottom of most passengercars. Driving in water this deep is enough to cause a loss of controlor stall the car A foot of water will float most cars and two feet ofor stall the car. A foot of water will float most cars and two feet ofrushing water will sweep most vehicles, including SUV's andpickups.If at all possible avoid contact with floodwater Floodwater may beIf at all possible, avoid contact with floodwater. Floodwater may becontaminated with oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Floodwater mayalso be charged with electricity from fallen power lines.The most effective way to avoid being a victim being caught in a


y g g gflash flood is DO NOT DRIVE.Time Required: Until the floods recede


Mph Feet

20 15

25 23

30 33

35 45

45 75

50 93

55 112

60 133

65 156

70 181


80 240

90 300

driving on a rainy weather · • abs braking system: the objective of your anti‐lock braking...

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