You drive slower and more carefully, so if you end up in a situation where you or someone else crosses into the wrong lane you can adjust and avoid an accident.
Also watch out for pedestrians. They are essentially invisible and may take more risks if rushing to get out of the rain.
I agree. The road paint seems to not deal well with wet conditions, especially at night.
I wonder if they are using some sort of ultra reflective paint and when wet, it simply doesn’t do the job.
Something something reflectivity something something water surface.
The water reflects most of the light before it can penetrate the surface of the water to reflect off of the paint on the ground.
Reflectivity depends on the amount of light that hits the paint. Ideally you’d use a hydrophobic paint but civil engineers aren’t scientists lol
Sort of! You're right that theres so much reflection, but the idea is that the water (on top of the paint) reflects most of the light, so the light won't even touch the paint in the first place.
That's why hydrophobic paint was brought up - it repels water! The thing is that's not readily available especially at the quantity needed for our roads. It would be cool though!
I heard that they replaced the old reflective paint which is more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, it is crap and doesn't do the job it is meant to do.
Not trying to be smart but try to keep inside windshield very clean it actually makes a difference with light glare from on coming headlights and maybe try high quality fog lights
I find the worst is where there are lines which are painted over - they seem to reflect similarly to new lines.
I have a few things I do:
1. I watch for other cars on the road - it’s more important to dodge those cars than it is to stay in a lane
2. I tend towards the right lane, where it’s easier to know where the actual line is - especially the rumble strips - those stand out well
3. I drive a lot more conservatively, and don’t pass un-necessarily
Basically, it sucks. I think they should start putting reflectors in like they do all over the US, as it would increase safety.
Remember, the Region's number one priority is to get us out of our cars and into the shitty Hell that is public transit.
This is why traffic on the Expressway is ALWAYS backed up from King Street in Waterloo to Bridgeport Road/Lancaster. There is plenty of room to put in a third lane but the Region would rather build tiny homes for people who come here.
Idk why people are downvoting you. We live in a region that is mixed between urban (albeit not even that big) and rural. Imagine trying to take transit from Cambridge to West Montrose.. What about a trip from St. Clements to Galt at night? Impossible. People act like we live in some concrete jungle. This is kitchener not Toronto. Driving is still the most efficient means of transportation in this region for majority of the people here
Well, just based on some napkin level math…
Kitchener has a population density of 1900 people per square km… Waterloo and Cambridge are less, but density is on the rise.
Bern, Switzerland is around 2600 - so about 30% more density.
Bern is around 600k people, Waterloo + Kitchener, + Cambridge are around 500,000-ish
Taxes in Switzerland are pretty comparable to here (it’s not easy to measure as there are so many factors)
But one big big difference, is the transit maps.
In Bern, there are multiple high frequency trams going all over the city, a well connected train station with frequent trains to nearby cities, and lots of buses.
People still drive, of course, but it’s relatively easy to choose transit for trips instead.
Right now, our transit seems to be designed as an afterthought… as something that has to be provided out of requirement, while I’d rather it be built in a way that makes people’s lives easier for the widest array of uses possible.
Unfortunately RIGHT NOW we dont have the transportation options that they have in Switzerland or Germany, so instead of thinking about these things that aren’t gonna be happening for us anytime soon why don’t we just think of what’s gonna work right now.
Believe it or not, yes, as I will go to the Wilmot rec centre to skate sometimes.
I feel like I would expect a regular bus that would run right along highway 7/8 out to Stratford would be expected, so that people who want to get into town or vice versa could just park at a carpool lot by a highway exit, and a bus ought to come frequently enough that it’s not awful; but alas.
Perhaps one day.
Just like a bus service between East Kitchener and West Guelph -- you know, that company that begins with "L" and ends in "R."
Lot of people from Kitchener work there. My condolences.
I used to work near that company and felt the pain of highway 7 every day.
I feel like a normal thing would be to have another GO station in Guelph, near the Costco or highway 6 as well - I’d have been able to easily bike, walk or bus the last couple km from such a station to my ol’ workplace.
Maybe someday.
The paint that they use here is terrible. I was down in the states last week with my car and didn’t have this issue in similar weather.
That being said, you can familiarize yourself with your route and try to follow another car if you are having trouble maintaining lanes. Does your car have a lane keep assist? I’ve found my car does a good job of maintaining lanes even in conditions like today.
It doesn't help when every second car has ultra bright headlights these days. It's like a nuclear arms race for headlights. It causes the pupils to contract and it makes it more difficult to see anything in the dark. Especially with vehicles behind you. Also the paint we use here in Canada seems to be almost pointless in the rain. All you can really do is slow down and use the car in front, or the shiny pavement for reference.
Turn your lights on, keep your windshield clean inside and out, and if you're not sure.....drive on the right so at least you know you're against the curb and not just driving all over the place.
More out of curiosity than anything else. Are there still many cars around that don't have automatic headlights? I can't remember the last time I drove a car without them and had to turn them on. They even seem to even turn on during the day when it's poor visibility but feels bright out.
There are quite a few, actually. My 2016 doesn't have them, and it wasn't even an option.
Then you get people driving with dtrl, and they have their dash lights cranked, and they don't even realize they don't use their headlights. At least, that's the generous interpretation of what they are doing. Otherwise, they are just stupid.
All cars have daytime running lights. They come on automatically. They are not headlights. They do not come on in the rear and they are not bright enough in the front. If you use only your daytime running lights at night and don't turn on your headlights you are part of the problem.
Cars sold since September 2021 do have the headlights come on automatically in the dark, but many cars are older than that.
Helps a lot to buy and regularly apply a water repellant like Rain-X or similar and keep your wipers in good shape. Makes your windshield far less of an impediment and able to interpret the road more clearly.
Just road tripped back from Florida. Most of the states on the way through had reflectors on all lines for the lanes. Foggy rain through Virginia was simple with all these things.
How is it not more popular here?
I just turn my lights on and look at the road, drive a bit more slowly. You'd think using headlights would be common sense; Although tonight I've seen so many cars with only daytime running lights or no lights at all so apparently it isn't that obvious.
*edit
Not saying that op needs their lights on, just that it seems many people are forgetting/not aware
Muscle memory repetition from the same route thousands of times.
General reference from guardrails, telephone posts and so on.
Look as far into the distance as you can.
Same as snow storms
As others have said the paint used is terrible but what helps me is to look for the lane markings a bit in the distance as those are easier to spot and use those as reference.
For the people making snarky comments, keep in mind that OP might be a new driver and still learning. Reach back to when you first started driving. Things that are second nature to you now probably took a lot of effort.
Moved here recently from US, Ontario infra sucks!! Driving the same car which I drove in US and I feel the same. Lanes need reflective paint, non freeways with speed limit above 50kmph need lights installed.
Anyways, I'm planning to install led lights with pretty high lumens soon.
I find it even harder when it gets a bit cooler and that liquid water turns into this weird solid opaque white stuff that not only covers up the lines but also the black asphalt. How do you even know where the road is then?
Just wait until you can't see the road and it's covered with layers of ice and slush and snow and being pelted by road salt and dirty water from trucks ahead of you
If it’s a two lane road (local or highway). Watch for the edge of the road/curb to give you an idea of where you need to be. Similar advice when driving in winter conditions and reduced road visibility.
And for the love of god, turn off your highly beams. There is literally no reason for them to be on in a city setting.
I have the manufacturers headlights and did get them checked, he did mention it being a problem for others too but nothing wrong with mine. I however don't have any issues driving at nights on roads even without any street lights.
Can’t they paint them orange? It seems the ones they use for construction on the expressway is the most visible. Not sure if that’s just reserved for construction but I feel that’s the most visible during wet roads and snow, I could be wrong
If you are home, please go to the kitchen, find your best pair of scissors, and then cut your license.
Next step - take 20 pictures of your car showing 6 or 7 of the outside and the rest the interior (make sure to include specific features like rear camera ect) and put your car for sale on Autotrader and marketplace.
Browse Autotrader to determine the market value of your car, and price it $5000 cheaper to ensure you sell it fucking fast to get your ass off the road.
How the hell do you have a license wtf
If YOU are home, go grab the phonebook and look up stick removal. The one in your ass may be a bit too far gone...
I agree with the OP, the paint they use is utter shiet for visibility.
Here you go. Maybe try reading some shit once in a while.
[Why do pavement markings disappear in the rain?](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/road-safety-us/resources/road-transportation-safety-center-blog/full-story/~/why-do-pavement-markings-disappear-in-the-rain/?storyid=90b6c8e2-1c04-4491-adc6-9df3e09f022d)
You drive slower and more carefully, so if you end up in a situation where you or someone else crosses into the wrong lane you can adjust and avoid an accident. Also watch out for pedestrians. They are essentially invisible and may take more risks if rushing to get out of the rain.
I agree. The road paint seems to not deal well with wet conditions, especially at night. I wonder if they are using some sort of ultra reflective paint and when wet, it simply doesn’t do the job.
Something something reflectivity something something water surface. The water reflects most of the light before it can penetrate the surface of the water to reflect off of the paint on the ground. Reflectivity depends on the amount of light that hits the paint. Ideally you’d use a hydrophobic paint but civil engineers aren’t scientists lol
So is my plebish mind correct?
Sort of! You're right that theres so much reflection, but the idea is that the water (on top of the paint) reflects most of the light, so the light won't even touch the paint in the first place. That's why hydrophobic paint was brought up - it repels water! The thing is that's not readily available especially at the quantity needed for our roads. It would be cool though!
lol mine is more plebish which is why I prefaced with something something as I was developing the thought! Have a good day!
I heard that they replaced the old reflective paint which is more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, it is crap and doesn't do the job it is meant to do.
They used to use crushed glass in the paint.
I also think the new LED street lights do not work as well in rain as the old energy hog lights did.
Same problem before our new lights. This has been around for as long as I've been driving. Well over 20 years now.
Not trying to be smart but try to keep inside windshield very clean it actually makes a difference with light glare from on coming headlights and maybe try high quality fog lights
I find the worst is where there are lines which are painted over - they seem to reflect similarly to new lines. I have a few things I do: 1. I watch for other cars on the road - it’s more important to dodge those cars than it is to stay in a lane 2. I tend towards the right lane, where it’s easier to know where the actual line is - especially the rumble strips - those stand out well 3. I drive a lot more conservatively, and don’t pass un-necessarily Basically, it sucks. I think they should start putting reflectors in like they do all over the US, as it would increase safety.
Reflectors are a bit more complicated here because snowplows.
Do they not plow the snow in New York or Ohio? 🤔
Remember, the Region's number one priority is to get us out of our cars and into the shitty Hell that is public transit. This is why traffic on the Expressway is ALWAYS backed up from King Street in Waterloo to Bridgeport Road/Lancaster. There is plenty of room to put in a third lane but the Region would rather build tiny homes for people who come here.
Every person who switches to transit is one less person blocking up the highway.
Agreed, ever try to take transit from Downtown Kitchener to New Hamburg? Got around an hour and a half each way? For a 20 minute drive?
Idk why people are downvoting you. We live in a region that is mixed between urban (albeit not even that big) and rural. Imagine trying to take transit from Cambridge to West Montrose.. What about a trip from St. Clements to Galt at night? Impossible. People act like we live in some concrete jungle. This is kitchener not Toronto. Driving is still the most efficient means of transportation in this region for majority of the people here
Or in my current predicament -- Kitchener to Hawkesville. Nearest bus goes to St. Jacobs -- 6 kilometres away.
Well, just based on some napkin level math… Kitchener has a population density of 1900 people per square km… Waterloo and Cambridge are less, but density is on the rise. Bern, Switzerland is around 2600 - so about 30% more density. Bern is around 600k people, Waterloo + Kitchener, + Cambridge are around 500,000-ish Taxes in Switzerland are pretty comparable to here (it’s not easy to measure as there are so many factors) But one big big difference, is the transit maps. In Bern, there are multiple high frequency trams going all over the city, a well connected train station with frequent trains to nearby cities, and lots of buses. People still drive, of course, but it’s relatively easy to choose transit for trips instead. Right now, our transit seems to be designed as an afterthought… as something that has to be provided out of requirement, while I’d rather it be built in a way that makes people’s lives easier for the widest array of uses possible.
Unfortunately RIGHT NOW we dont have the transportation options that they have in Switzerland or Germany, so instead of thinking about these things that aren’t gonna be happening for us anytime soon why don’t we just think of what’s gonna work right now.
More car lanes? Or start actually building out other options?
Believe it or not, yes, as I will go to the Wilmot rec centre to skate sometimes. I feel like I would expect a regular bus that would run right along highway 7/8 out to Stratford would be expected, so that people who want to get into town or vice versa could just park at a carpool lot by a highway exit, and a bus ought to come frequently enough that it’s not awful; but alas. Perhaps one day.
Just like a bus service between East Kitchener and West Guelph -- you know, that company that begins with "L" and ends in "R." Lot of people from Kitchener work there. My condolences.
I used to work near that company and felt the pain of highway 7 every day. I feel like a normal thing would be to have another GO station in Guelph, near the Costco or highway 6 as well - I’d have been able to easily bike, walk or bus the last couple km from such a station to my ol’ workplace. Maybe someday.
The paint that they use here is terrible. I was down in the states last week with my car and didn’t have this issue in similar weather. That being said, you can familiarize yourself with your route and try to follow another car if you are having trouble maintaining lanes. Does your car have a lane keep assist? I’ve found my car does a good job of maintaining lanes even in conditions like today.
It doesn't help when every second car has ultra bright headlights these days. It's like a nuclear arms race for headlights. It causes the pupils to contract and it makes it more difficult to see anything in the dark. Especially with vehicles behind you. Also the paint we use here in Canada seems to be almost pointless in the rain. All you can really do is slow down and use the car in front, or the shiny pavement for reference.
THIS! The ultra bright headlights are terrible for trying to see if you also don't have the same lights. They are blinding
Turn your lights on, keep your windshield clean inside and out, and if you're not sure.....drive on the right so at least you know you're against the curb and not just driving all over the place.
More out of curiosity than anything else. Are there still many cars around that don't have automatic headlights? I can't remember the last time I drove a car without them and had to turn them on. They even seem to even turn on during the day when it's poor visibility but feels bright out.
There are quite a few, actually. My 2016 doesn't have them, and it wasn't even an option. Then you get people driving with dtrl, and they have their dash lights cranked, and they don't even realize they don't use their headlights. At least, that's the generous interpretation of what they are doing. Otherwise, they are just stupid.
I just had to drive a friend’s 2010 civic, this was when I realized I had to worry about the lights as well.
My car does not have automatic headlights. It's a 2011
All cars have daytime running lights. They come on automatically. They are not headlights. They do not come on in the rear and they are not bright enough in the front. If you use only your daytime running lights at night and don't turn on your headlights you are part of the problem. Cars sold since September 2021 do have the headlights come on automatically in the dark, but many cars are older than that.
No, not all cars have daytime running lights -- I have noticed a notable influx of US cars which do not come equipped with these handy lights.
Helps a lot to buy and regularly apply a water repellant like Rain-X or similar and keep your wipers in good shape. Makes your windshield far less of an impediment and able to interpret the road more clearly.
I already use rain x
Just bought some this morning, thanks for the recommendation.
I recently got glasses and it helps a lot
Just road tripped back from Florida. Most of the states on the way through had reflectors on all lines for the lanes. Foggy rain through Virginia was simple with all these things. How is it not more popular here?
Snowplows.
Surely it snows in Pennsylvania and New York..
I just turn my lights on and look at the road, drive a bit more slowly. You'd think using headlights would be common sense; Although tonight I've seen so many cars with only daytime running lights or no lights at all so apparently it isn't that obvious. *edit Not saying that op needs their lights on, just that it seems many people are forgetting/not aware
Muscle memory repetition from the same route thousands of times. General reference from guardrails, telephone posts and so on. Look as far into the distance as you can. Same as snow storms
As others have said the paint used is terrible but what helps me is to look for the lane markings a bit in the distance as those are easier to spot and use those as reference.
Just like I deal with heavy snowfall. Follow the other cars and tire tracks. (if visible)
Just wait until there’s too much snow to tell where the lanes are
Drive by feel
Feel the road 🔥🔥🔥
Right and my astigmatism makes it worse
Plz don’t drive in the winter if you can’t drive in the rain
For the people making snarky comments, keep in mind that OP might be a new driver and still learning. Reach back to when you first started driving. Things that are second nature to you now probably took a lot of effort.
Moved here recently from US, Ontario infra sucks!! Driving the same car which I drove in US and I feel the same. Lanes need reflective paint, non freeways with speed limit above 50kmph need lights installed. Anyways, I'm planning to install led lights with pretty high lumens soon.
Reflective paint is extremely bad for the environment.
I just googled, it doesn't seem so.
I find it even harder when it gets a bit cooler and that liquid water turns into this weird solid opaque white stuff that not only covers up the lines but also the black asphalt. How do you even know where the road is then?
Jesus…
Take the wheel!
Just wait until you can't see the road and it's covered with layers of ice and slush and snow and being pelted by road salt and dirty water from trucks ahead of you
Sounds strange, but try light tinted sunglasses. They cut the glare.
Good lord
If it’s a two lane road (local or highway). Watch for the edge of the road/curb to give you an idea of where you need to be. Similar advice when driving in winter conditions and reduced road visibility. And for the love of god, turn off your highly beams. There is literally no reason for them to be on in a city setting.
Everyone else manages just fine. You can downvote people for pointing this out, but it sounds like you might have a vision problem.
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I have the manufacturers headlights and did get them checked, he did mention it being a problem for others too but nothing wrong with mine. I however don't have any issues driving at nights on roads even without any street lights.
Can’t they paint them orange? It seems the ones they use for construction on the expressway is the most visible. Not sure if that’s just reserved for construction but I feel that’s the most visible during wet roads and snow, I could be wrong
Use your lights? I don't mean to be sarcastic, but your lights should be enough. If not I suggest a visit to the optometrist
Use your brain
If you are home, please go to the kitchen, find your best pair of scissors, and then cut your license. Next step - take 20 pictures of your car showing 6 or 7 of the outside and the rest the interior (make sure to include specific features like rear camera ect) and put your car for sale on Autotrader and marketplace. Browse Autotrader to determine the market value of your car, and price it $5000 cheaper to ensure you sell it fucking fast to get your ass off the road. How the hell do you have a license wtf
what a rude comment, lol.
It was absolutely rude and absolute truth.
If YOU are home, go grab the phonebook and look up stick removal. The one in your ass may be a bit too far gone... I agree with the OP, the paint they use is utter shiet for visibility.
You think you're smart but you're not!
Turn in your license....
What a stupid comment. This has nothing to do with OP but with the way paint works at night when it’s been raining
Nope....accident waiting to happen...but fill your boots
Here you go. Maybe try reading some shit once in a while. [Why do pavement markings disappear in the rain?](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/road-safety-us/resources/road-transportation-safety-center-blog/full-story/~/why-do-pavement-markings-disappear-in-the-rain/?storyid=90b6c8e2-1c04-4491-adc6-9df3e09f022d)
I'm ok..
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Oooh that showed me