How to drive in wet weather

The recent weather has been rather unpredictable recently, rain, wind, frost and even some snow on higher ground, it can make for treacherous driving conditions. Here are some top tips on how to drive safely in heavy rain and floods.

Driving in Heavy Rain

The first thing to remember when driving in heavy rain is that your stopping distances will at least double then what they would be on a dry day. Allow extra space between you and the car in front and be prepared to stop at any time. It is important to make sure that your windscreen wipers are in good working condition, any split or tear in the wiper means it won’t clear your screen properly and will prevent you from seeing the road ahead clearly. Get them replaced as soon as you notice that they aren't working at their best. Avoid any standing water on the roads, driving through it at speed can cause your car to aquaplane. Puddles and standing water could also mask potholes and debris on the road, so avoid them if possible, take care of oncoming traffic if you have to manoeuvre around standing water.

Driving in Floods

Heavy rain can often lead to localised or even severe flooding. Before setting out on your journey check your route to see if all the roads you intend to drive on a flood free, if the weather is extremely bad it may be advised that you don’t travel. The most important thing to remember is that if you are unsure, at all, of how deep standing water on the road is then do not drive through it. If your water gets into your engine and floods it the damage can be irreparable, so don't take the risk if there is any doubt at the depth of the water on the road. If you decide to drive through standing water on the road then make sure you drive where the road is the highest, usually in the middle, this will help reduce your chance of being stranded. Be patient and only drive through once the vehicle in front has passed through. Once through the water pull away gently, testing your breaks a few times to make sure they are still working properly. Take note of these tips and most importantly don’t take risks if you aren't sure on the condition of the road.