Rent Cars Colombo lists below some common problems that most drivers face on the road. In wet road conditions, the film of water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction due to hydroplaning. Rain also reduces driver awareness— it's harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming an accident statistic.

• Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.

• Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.

• Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.

• Most roads in Sri-Lanka are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.

• Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important.

• If you see a large puddle up ahead, drive around it or choose a different route. water splashing up into your car's engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems. Also, a pothole may be hiding under the water, just waiting in ambush to damage a wheel or knock your suspension out of alignment. If you can't gauge the depth, or if it's covering up the side curb, try to avoid it.

• Never attempt to cross running water. Don’t let yourself get into a lot of trouble by crossing running water because if the force of the water is greater than the weight of your vehicle, there’s a chance of your vehicle getting washed away (with you inside!). 4-wheel drive isn't going to be much help if your vehicle is being pushed sideways.

• After you cross a puddle, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your rotors.

• Turn on your headlights, even when there's a light shower. It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other motorists see you. However, don't use your high beams in the rain or fog — it'll obscure your vision further, as the light will reflect back at you off the water droplets in the air. If your car is equipped with fog lights, you may find it helpful to turn these on, as they throw a little extra light on the road while making your car easier to see.

• Watch out for pedestrians. An ordinarily observant pedestrian may become distracted by fiddling with an umbrella etc. Plus, raindrops deaden sound, so the usual audio clues for measuring car distances become obscured. Keep a sharp lookout for people in the road.

• If it's raining so hard that you can't see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out.

• Track the car ahead of you. Let the car ahead pave a clear path through the water so that you may follow in a similar track.

• Give a truck or bus extra distance. Their extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely. Avoid passing one, but if you must pass, do it as quickly as safety allows.

• Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air conditioning is turned on.

• If you start to hydroplane, don't brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).

• Stay on top of your car's condition. Make sure that your rental vehicle has had its vitals checked. Its brakes, tire pressures, tire tread depth and defroster operation should be checked regularly so that you'll be ready to deal with a deluge when the time comes.

• Make sure that the wipers of your rental vehicle are in good condition and functioning properly. If the blades are brittle or damaged, have them replaced before you're caught in a downpour.

• Rent Cars Colombo strongly suggests that you equip your rental vehicle with a good emergency kit.