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RainNew Zealand

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
New Zealand

195. Rain

Rain can reduce visibility, tyre grip and vehicle control while increasing stopping distances. Water on the road can also cause aquaplaning, where the tyres lose contact with the road surface. Drivers should reduce speed, increase their following distance, avoid sudden steering or braking and use the appropriate lights when visibility is reduced. Extra care is needed during heavy rain and when water collects in wheel tracks or on poorly drained roads.

How does rain affect driving?

Rain can reduce visibility and tyre grip, increase stopping distances and make it more difficult to control the vehicle safely.

What is aquaplaning?

Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tyres and the road, causing the tyres to lose contact with the road surface and reducing steering and braking control.

How should you drive in heavy rain?

Reduce speed, increase your following distance and use smooth steering, acceleration and braking. Use the appropriate lights and be prepared for reduced visibility and standing water.

Why should you increase the following distance in rain?

Wet roads can increase the distance needed to stop. A larger following distance gives you more time and space to react safely.

What should you do if the vehicle starts aquaplaning?

Remain calm, ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking or steering. Make smooth corrections until the tyres regain contact with the road.

Should you use headlights in rain?

Lighting requirements vary between countries. Drivers should use the lights required by local traffic rules whenever rain or other conditions reduce visibility.

1 New Zealand 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 One-way traffic 10 Slope 11 Bus lane 12 Stop sign 13 Give way 14 Roundabout 15 Road narrowing 16 Pedestrian crossing 17 Railway crossing 18 Mandatory direction 19 Turn prohibition 20 School area 21 Crossing animals 22 Slippery road 23 Curve 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Crosswind 28 Height limit 29 Priority at the next junction 30 Traffic lights 31 Pedestrian lights 32 Road markings 33 Parking 34 Disabled parking 35 Reversing 36 U-turn 37 Tourist attraction 38 Charging station 39 Dangers 40 Cyclist 41 Bus 42 Police 43 Ambulance 44 Pothole 45 Path 46 Particulates 47 Air pollution 48 Rush hour 49 Road code 50 Two-way traffic 51 Street gutter 52 Cargo bike 53 Forestry vehicle 54 Construction vehicle 55 Semi-trailer truck 56 Trolleybus 57 Speed pedelec 58 Delivery vehicle 59 Idling 60 Tow truck 61 Four-wheel drive 62 Bicycle 63 Motorcycle equipment 64 Tram 65 Rail track 66 Caravan 67 Trailer 68 Tow hitch 69 Fire truck 70 Siren 71 Convoy 72 Emergency vehicle lighting 73 Agricultural machinery 74 Electric bicycle 75 Electric vehicle 76 Pedelec 77 Quadricycle 78 Microcar 79 All-terrain vehicle 80 Van 81 Recreational vehicle 82 Scooter 83 Trikke 84 Personal mobility device 85 Skateboard 86 Segway 87 Kick scooter 88 Roller skates 89 Mailman 90 Hitchhiker 91 Toddler 92 Child 93 Disability 94 Motorail 95 km/h 96 mph 97 Speedometer 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ... 101 Start-stop system 102 Manual transmission 103 Automatic transmission 104 Throttle 105 Tachometer 106 Steering wheel 107 Power steering 108 Visual scanning 109 Mirror 110 Fuel 111 Fuel gauge 112 Petrol 113 Diesel 114 Diesel exhaust fluid 115 Car insurance 116 First aid kit 117 Fire extinguisher 118 High-visibility clothing 119 First aid 120 Concrete step barrier 121 Barriers 122 Vehicle lights 123 Street lights 124 Dipped beam 125 High beam 126 Fog lights 127 Front fog lights 128 Rear fog lights 129 Side lights 130 Turn signals 131 Hazard lights 132 Dashboard lights 133 Bicycle lighting 134 Bicycle bell 135 Headlight flashing 136 Seat belt 137 Child restraints 138 Head restraints 139 Airbag 140 ABS 141 Esp 142 Traction control system 143 Helmet 144 Bicycle helmet 145 Hands-free 146 Smartphone 147 GPS 148 Brake 149 Handbrake 150 Brake fluid 151 Tyres 152 Tyre code 153 Winter tyres 154 Tyre pressure 155 Snow chains 156 Bicycle tyre 157 Continuous track 158 Gross Vehicle Weight 159 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 160 Cargo 161 Car body 162 Trunk 163 Roof rack 164 Windscreen 165 Emergency hammer 166 Car battery 167 Traction battery 168 Suspension 169 Shock absorber 170 Spring 171 Exhaust 172 Exhaust gas 173 Soot 174 Catalytic converter 175 Engine 176 Petrol engine 177 Diesel engine 178 Electric motor 179 Timing belt 180 Glow plug 181 Cylinder 182 Engine oil 183 Coolant 184 Maintenance 185 Spare tyre 186 Flat tyre 187 Jack 188 Vehicle inspection 189 Key 190 Dashboard 191 Windscreen wiper 192 Doors 193 Glovebox 194 Visibility 195 Rain 196 Fog 197 Hail 198 Sunlight 199 Sunglasses 200 Salt 201 Air conditioning 202 Hydroplaning 203 Distraction 204 Emotions 205 Road rage 206 Health 207 Epilepsy 208 Night blindness 209 Visual impairment 210 Fatigue 211 Defects 212 Traffic violation 213 Alcohol 214 Alcohol control 215 Ignition interlock device 216 Breath test 217 Breath analysis 218 Blood alcohol content 219 Blood test 220 Saliva test 221 Drugs 222 Medication 223 Penalties 224 Speeding 225 Smoking 226 Traffic enforcement camera 227 Double curve 228 Accident 229 Injuries 230 Nosebleed 231 Damage 232 Breakdown 233 Warning triangle 234 Traffic rules 235 Driving school 236 Traffic signs