Motorists were reminded to take extra precautions on the road this rainy season, including keeping their vehicle lights on to improve visibility.
Toyota Motor Philippines reminded drivers to use their headlights instead of turning on their hazard lights, as visibility can be affected by torrential rains in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
“Rainy roads? Know your lights before you go. Use your low-beam headlights in poor visibility, and save your hazard lights for emergencies when stopped safely. Stay visible. Drive safe,” it said in a social media post.
NLEX Corporation likewise reminded drivers to “turn on their headlights” when traversing roads during rain to improve visibility.
“Stay alert, stay visible, and stay in control. Your safety—and the safety of others on the road—always comes first, rain or shine,” it said in a post.
It also shared other driving tips for the rainy season, such as turning on wipers, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and driving slowly due to the wet and slippery roads.
Using hazard lights correctly
Some drivers have adopted the practice of automatically turning on their hazard lights in the rain, which can confuse other motorists on the road.
A hazard light is a flashing orange indicator light used in emergencies to warn other motorists that a vehicle has become a temporary obstacle on the road.
This may include situations where a vehicle encounters a problem while driving and the driver is unable to move it.
Hazard lights also use the same color as turn signals, which indicate to other motorists that a vehicle intends to maneuver to the right or left side of the road.
If the hazard lights are turned on while a vehicle is moving, motorists may not be able to tell whether the driver intends to maneuver to the right or left, increasing the risk of accidents.
On the other hand, headlights are used to improve visibility and can be white or yellow in color.
These are mainly used at night but can also be used during the daytime when visibility is reduced, such as during heavy rain.
Headlights make a vehicle more visible to other motorists, indicating its presence, especially during the rainy season, when windshields and side mirrors can be difficult to see through in heavy rain.
The Highway Patrol Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Capital Region also shared other tips for drivers, motorcycle riders and commuters as they brave the inclement weather this rainy season.
These include maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, driving slowly on wet and slippery roads and checking weather and traffic conditions before traveling, among others.
Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon have been experiencing inclement weather due to the southwest monsoon (habagat), which has been intensified by tropical cyclones inside and outside the country’s Area of Responsibility in recent days.
As of the morning of Monday, August 17, state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) with a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression. It will be named “Neneng” if it intensifies into a tropical cyclone.
So far, Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay have affected Luzon by enhancing the habagat, causing torrential rains that have led to flash floods and landslides.
