The Citroen Visa Forum

A friend sent me these driving tips:

GOOD VISION IN A DOWNPOUR

How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour. We are not sure why it is so effective, but just try this method when it rains heavily. Most of the motorists would turn on HIGH or FASTEST SPEED of the wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in front of the windshield is still bad. In the event you face such a situation, just put on your SUNGLASSES (any model will do), and miracles! All of a sudden, your visibility in front of your windshield is perfectly clear, as if there is no rain even when driving at night. Amazingly, you still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. You can see where the rain bounces off the road. It works to eliminate the "blindness" from passing cars and or the "kickup" if you are following a car in the rain. They ought to teach this little tip in driver's training as it really does work.

...didn't know that one.

CRUISE CONTROL

An accident can occur when it is raining or icy, if you drive with your cruise contol on. Apparently due to rain or ice there is less grip, with the cruise control on your car will accelerate to compensate for that lack of grip causing you to hydro-plane and in extreme cases take off like an aeroplane. Being cautious in rain or ice does not mean setting a safe consistent speed for the cruise control to maintain. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control to drive at a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the road is dry.

...mmm, never had a car with cruise contol.

I wouldn't dream of using cruise control in snow & ice. Cruise control can't feel what the car is doing. A good way to be first at the scene of the accident if you ask me.

The sunglasses in heavy rain is an interesting one. I'll have to remember that one and give it a try.

...mmm, never had a car with cruise contol.

The Fiat 126 we used to have years ago had a hand throttle lever under the dash linked to the accelerator linkage for cold starts, but you could use it instead of the pedal.

Wow, that's interesting about the sunglasses and the rain!

...mmm, never had a car with cruise contol.

You could always use this on the throttle Mike

Mikee wrote:GOOD VISION IN A DOWNPOUR

How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour. We are not sure why it is so effective, but just try this method when it rains heavily. Most of the motorists would turn on HIGH or FASTEST SPEED of the wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in front of the windshield is still bad. In the event you face such a situation, just put on your SUNGLASSES (any model will do), and miracles! All of a sudden, your visibility in front of your windshield is perfectly clear, as if there is no rain even when driving at night. Amazingly, you still see the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. You can see where the rain bounces off the road. It works to eliminate the "blindness" from passing cars and or the "kickup" if you are following a car in the rain. They ought to teach this little tip in driver's training as it really does work.

I'm not a sunglasses wearer now, but I have experienced this on a wet / sunny drive from Morzine Avoriaz to Barcelona, many years ago. The early spring day, was full of sunshine and showers, and by pure coincidence, I became aware of how the sunglasses, (polarised Raybans), reduced the effect of the spray, almost allowing one to see through it. I'm not sure about wearing them at night mind!

John