Heavy Rainfall During the Monsoon Season... Be Sure to Check Your Car's Wipers and Tires Before Driving

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] As the monsoon season approaches in earnest, there are more parts of the car that need to be checked more carefully than usual for safe driving. In particular, tires and wipers must be inspected thoroughly because they are directly related to safety when driving on wet roads.

According to data released last year by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, traffic accidents on rainy roads in 2018 increased by 32.0% compared to the previous year, and fatalities increased by 25.9%. In contrast, traffic accidents on clear days decreased by 1.9%, and fatalities decreased by 12.9%, showing a significant rise in accidents on rainy roads.

Especially during the monsoon season when heavy rain pours, it is essential to check the wipers and windshield condition to secure the driver's visibility. If the wiper blades are worn out, they cannot wipe away rainwater properly during operation, which can obstruct the view, so they must be replaced. Frequent inspections are necessary, particularly in hot and humid seasons, monsoon periods, and yellow dust seasons, as wipers tend to deteriorate faster.

Signs that indicate the need to replace wipers include scratches or water marks on the windshield when using them, areas that are not wiped, and rattling or shaking during wiping. If noise persists or wiping is ineffective even after replacing the wipers, the windshield's oily film should be removed. If a windshield cleaner is not available, toothpaste can be used as a substitute. Additionally, applying a water-repellent coating to the windshield or preparing washer fluid with water-repellent properties can help improve visibility.

Checking tires to prevent slipping on wet roads is also essential. Rainwater is discharged through the grooves between the tire treads, so if the tire treads are worn, drainage performance decreases, which can cause hydroplaning. Also, insufficient tire air pressure can cause hydroplaning and reduce braking power, so it is important to check if the air pressure is at an optimal level in advance.

Speed should also be reduced compared to normal. On wet roads, driving speed should be reduced by 20%, and during heavy rain, by 50% compared to the usual regulated speed.

The tire tread, the only part of the car that contacts the road surface, has various patterns both horizontally and vertically. As the tread wears down, the tire's drainage function deteriorates, making hydroplaning more likely when driving on wet roads.

If you follow the protruding triangular points on the tire sidewall, you will find raised wear indicators inside the tread grooves. If the tread height is almost equal to or equal to the wear indicator, the tire must be replaced immediately. If you insert a 100-won coin upside down into the tire tread and see Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s hat, it is time to replace the tire. Numerically, if the tire tread depth is 1.6 mm or less, replacement should be expedited.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.