Study guide
12.2 Rain, Night, Breakdowns and Emergencies
Barbados Regulation Examination Exam
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1 Chapter 1: The Regulation Examination and the Licensing Path
1.1 The Regulation Examination: Facts, Booking and Study Plan 1.2 Learner's Permit Conditions and Supervision 1.3 Driving Test, Licence Classes, Renewal and Demerit Points
2 Chapter 2: Traffic Signs
2.1 Sign Shapes, Colours and Legal Force 2.2 Warning Signs in the Ninth Schedule 2.3 Regulatory Signs: Prohibitions and Mandatory Orders 2.4 Information Signs, Temporary Signs and Construction Zones
3 Chapter 3: Light Signals, Driver Signals and Police Directions
3.1 Traffic Light Signals 3.2 Driver Signals, the Horn and Police Directions
4 Chapter 4: Road Markings and Pedestrian Crossings
4.1 Road Markings and Lane Use 4.2 Pedestrian Crossings
5 Chapter 5: Road Position, Overtaking, Junctions and Roundabouts
5.1 Keeping Left, Being Overtaken and Overtaking 5.2 Junctions, Turning and Emerging 5.3 Roundabouts
6 Chapter 6: Speed Limits and Stopping Distances
6.1 Barbados Speed Limits 6.2 Following Distance and Stopping Distance
7 Chapter 7: Stopping, Parking and Lights
7.1 Stopping, Waiting and Parking Rules 7.2 Lighting-Up Times and Use of Lights
8 Chapter 8: Vehicle Condition, Loads and Occupant Safety
8.1 Vehicle Condition, Equipment, Loads and Towing 8.2 Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats
9 Chapter 9: Alcohol, Drugs, Distraction and Fitness to Drive
9.1 Alcohol, Drugs and the Breath-Test Law 9.2 Phones, Distractions, Fatigue and Fitness to Drive
10 Chapter 10: Sharing the Road
10.1 Pedestrians, Children and Processions 10.2 Cyclists and Motorcyclists 10.3 Animals, Animal-Drawn Vehicles and Slow Traffic 10.4 Emergency Vehicles, Buses and Public Service Vehicles
11 Chapter 11: Accidents, Insurance and Traffic Offences
11.1 Duties After an Accident 11.2 Insurance, Documents and Traffic Offences
12 Chapter 12: Defensive Driving and Emergencies
12.1 Defensive Driving and Hazard Perception 12.2 Rain, Night, Breakdowns and Emergencies
12.2 Rain, Night, Breakdowns and Emergencies
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The first rain after a dry spell makes roads very slippery; slow down and at least double your following gap.
Do not drive through deep or fast-flowing floodwater; if you go through shallow water, drive slowly and test your brakes afterwards.
If your vehicle breaks down where it may cause danger, show its presence by lighting or otherwise and move it as near as possible to the left side of the road (s.89).
In a tyre blowout, hold the steering firmly, ease off the accelerator and brake gently once the vehicle is under control.
Select a lower gear before a steep descent so that the engine helps you slow down and the brakes do not overheat.
Last updated: October 2026
Conditions on the island can change in minutes: a tropical downpour, a flash flood, a breakdown on a busy highway. The regulation test checks that you know how to drive in difficult conditions and what to do when something goes wrong.
Rain
The first shower is the worst. After a dry spell, oil and dust on the road mix with the first rain to make a slippery film. Slow down, and brake, steer and accelerate gently.
Double the gap. Keep at least a four-second gap on wet roads (see 6.2).
Aquaplaning. At speed, a layer of water can lift the tyres off the road, so that the steering goes light. Ease off the accelerator. Do not brake hard or steer sharply until the tyres grip again.
Visibility. Use your wipers and demister. Switch on dipped headlights in heavy rain so that others see you, but do not use main beam into spray.
Floods
Never drive into deep or fast-moving water. It can stall the engine, lift the vehicle and sweep it away, and it can hide washed-out road.
In shallow water , drive slowly in first gear with the engine revving a little, so that water does not enter the exhaust. Avoid creating a bow wave that soaks pedestrians or swamps other vehicles.
Test your brakes afterwards by braking gently a few times until they work normally.
Night driving
Headlights must be on at night and must light the road for at least 100 metres (reg. 22(8)). Dim them for oncoming vehicles (reg. 31(23)).
Drive so that you can stop within the distance your lights show to be clear.
If dazzled, slow down and look towards the left edge of the road.
Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and animals on unlit roads (see 10.1 to 10.3).
Steep hills and wind
Descending: select a lower gear before you start down, so that engine braking helps. Continuous braking overheats the brakes ("brake fade").
Ascending: change down early to keep the engine pulling. On narrow hills, be ready to give way to vehicles coming the other way.
Strong winds: hold the wheel firmly, and give extra room to cyclists, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles.
Breakdowns: the legal duty (s.89)
Section 89 of the Road Traffic Act says no one in charge of a vehicle may let it, or its trailer, remain stationary on a road in a position, condition or circumstances likely to cause danger or obstruction . If your vehicle breaks down:
Get it as near as possible to the left side of the road , off the carriageway if you can. Section 89(2) requires you to take immediate steps to have it removed there.
Show its presence "by lighting or otherwise" : switch on your hazard warning lights , use side lights at night, and place a warning triangle well behind the vehicle if you have one.
Get passengers out on the side away from traffic , and wait in a safe place away from the vehicle, not behind it.
Arrange removal promptly. A police officer or the Chief Technical Officer may require you to remove it, and may remove it at the owner's cost (s.89(3) to (5)). The penalty for breaching s.89 is a fine of BBD $200 or 3 months.
Do not stop on the Spring Garden Highway except in a genuine emergency, because stopping and waiting there are prohibited.
Emergencies
Emergency What to do
Tyre blowout Hold the steering wheel firmly, keep a straight course, ease off the accelerator , and brake gently only when the vehicle is under control. Pull off to the left.
Brake failure Pump the brake pedal, change down through the gears, use the handbrake progressively, and warn others with lights and horn. Steer to a safe place, such as an uphill road or soft verge, if you have to.
Skid Ease off the accelerator and brake. Steer in the direction you want to go , and straighten up as the vehicle recovers. Avoid harsh braking.
Stuck accelerator Keep steering, press the clutch (in a manual) or select neutral, brake firmly, pull over and switch off.
Engine fire Pull over, switch off the engine , get everyone out and away, and call the Fire Service. Do not open the bonnet wide.
Wheels drop off the road edge Ease off, keep a firm grip, steer gently back when the speed has dropped. Do not jerk the wheel.
Refuelling safely
Switch off the engine before filling, and never smoke or use a naked flame near a petrol station or while filling (reg. 33).
Emergency vehicles
Remember regulation 32: when an emergency vehicle approaches with siren or flashing lamps, pull close to the left, stop, dim your lights at night and stay stopped until it passes (see 10.4).