Driving In The Rain - Pontiac 1994 Grand Am Owner's Manual

Your Driving ,and
the Road
'
Night Vision
(CONT.)
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It can take a second or
two, or even several seconds, for your
eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are
faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn't lower the high beams, or a
vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow
down a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching lights.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on
your vehicle clean
--
inside and out.
Glare at night is made much worse by dirt
on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty
glass makes lights dazzle and flash more
than clean glass would, making the pupils
of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlights light up
far less of a roadway when you are in a
turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving;
that way, it's easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlights
should be checked regularly for proper
aim, so should your eyes be examined
regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
--
the inability to see in dim
light
--
and aren't even aware of it.
130
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can mean driving
trouble. On a wet road you can't stop,
accelerate or turn as well because your
tire-to-road traction isn't as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires don't have
much tread left, you'll get even less
traction.
It's always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while you are
driving, The surface may get wet
suddenly when your reflexes are tuned fo
driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to
see. Even if your windshield wiper blades
xre in good shape, a heavy rain can make
it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of
the road, and even people walking.
It's
wise to keep your wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield
washer tank filled. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show
signs of streaking or missing areas on the
windshield, or when strips of rubber start
to separate from the inserts.