Heavy rain and flooding can create hazardous conditions for driving. Follow our useful hints and tips when it’s wet outside to prepare for your journey and drive safely.
Wet weather can increase the likelihood of a breakdown, as it can lead to problems with engines and electrical systems. If you’re not careful when you’re driving through water, you could even flood your engine.
If your journey is unavoidable and it can’t wait until the rain has stopped, follow these steps…
Plan your journey
By checking your route in advance, you can account for any tweaks to your journey. You’ll want to avoid any flood-prone areas as best you can. Make sure to factor in extra time to account for slower speeds and possible congestion.
Before you go, make your family or friends aware of your route and provide them with an estimated time of arrival. Remember to let them know when you arrive at your destination.
Pre-drive checks
As tempting as it is to jump straight into the driver’s seat, there are a few checks you should make before driving on a rainy day.
- Make sure your front and back wiper blades are working properly. If not, replace them.
- Give your windscreen a thorough clean
- Make sure you have plenty of fuel for your journey
- Listen to weather and traffic updates to keep informed of any road closures or flooding
- Make sure your phone is fully charged in case you encounter any issues on your travels
- Check your tyre tread depth to make sure you have adequate grip on wet roads. Look out for any signs of slow punctures or bulges in your tyre wall.
Driving in heavy rain
Now you’re ready to set off, it’s important to keep a few things in mind while you’re behind the wheel. Things like visibility and stopping distances change when it’s wet, so follow these tips…
Slow down
Stopping distances are increased on wet roads. Drop your speed and drive to the conditions of the road, leaving more space between you and the vehicle in front.
Avoid heavy braking
Instead of just relying on your brakes to slow you down, take your foot off the accelerator. Try to anticipate things like junctions and traffic lights well in advance. Harsh braking can cause you to skid, or even aqua-plane, and lose control of your vehicle.
Use your windscreen wipers
Obvious, we know – but important. You should have checked your wipers before setting off. Now you’re on the road, make sure your wipers are moving constantly to stop your visibility being obscured.
Don’t use cruise control
Always turn off cruise control in wet weather. Though it keeps you moving at a steady speed, it won’t be able to prevent skids or hydroplaning on slippery surfaces. Maintaining this constant speed can cause your vehicle to hydroplane, and you may lose control. It’s much safer to remain in control of your speed so that you can adapt it to the conditions of the road.
Watch out for puddles
Puddles can hide anything from potholes to sunken utility holes and more. You also can’t be sure just how deep the water is – and flood damage can be expensive to fix. With that in mind, avoid puddles wherever possible – if safe to do so.
If you can’t avoid going through a puddle, drop your speed and drive as carefully as possible to help avoid hydroplaning. Puddle water can do all kinds of damage to your brakes, paintwork and engine, so plan ahead to avert flood-prone areas.
Take care when cornering
You should always slow down to take a corner, but even more so when the road is slippery. Your braking time may have increased. With that in mind, you should give yourself plenty of extra time to avoid hazards and reduce your speed safely.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
Rain alone makes it harder to see. When combined with surface spray from the road, things get even trickier. That’s why you should always leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles.
Try to avoid driving behind larger vehicles if you can, such as buses and vans. The bigger the vehicle, the more spray your window wipers will have to clear. As we’ve already explored, your stopping distance will also be longer. This means you should leave a sensible gap – twice as much as you usually would.
Have a good grip on your steering wheel
Heavy rain often brings strong winds with it. So, you’ll have to make sure you have a strong grip on your steering wheel throughout your journey. One-handed steering is no match for unexpected gusts.
Cyclists and bikers may have to fight to keep control of their rides in bad weather; that’s why you should remain cautious of other vehicles around you and drive accordingly.
Use your headlights
Rain can bring heavy clouds that darken our days. Even if you’re heading out at lunchtime, it can almost feel like late evening. On days like these, turn on your dipped headlights so that you can be seen by other drivers.
Prevent condensation
Windows can mist up quickly in soggy conditions. Leave your air conditioning on to combat condensation. This will help to keep your windscreen clear.
Stay informed
Even if you check the weather and traffic reports before you leave, that doesn’t mean to say that things won’t change.
An accident can happen anywhere at any time. Set your vehicle’s radio to receive traffic reports so that you can adapt your route as soon as possible. Most satellite navigation systems and way-finding apps also update in real-time. So, consider using one.
Even if you know your way, you might find yourself needing to go off-course to avoid an incident.