Driving in wet weather can be dangerous, especially in the UK where we experience around 160 days of rain a year (feels like more?).
That being the case, you might be wondering what you can do to help make driving in the rain that bit more comfortable and lower your chances of becoming a casualty.
Not to worry . . . we have it all here in this post!
Wait Until the Weather Improves if Possible
Probably the first thing you should do in cases of heavy rain.
Unless it's an emergency or you have to get to work and there's no way you can make that last train . . .
A lot of us feel uncomfortable driving in the rain, so switching on the weather forecast and waiting for the skies to clear is always a good (and a safe) shout. There's no reason to put yourself in unnecessary danger in wet conditions.
Sometimes you've just got to play the waiting game.
Make Sure Your Car Is Fit to Drive
Still waiting?
OK . . .
If you really have to make that dreaded car journey in the rain, it's wise to know or make sure that your car's equipment is in perfect working order and up to the task.
Best then to include the following checks:
-
Fuel up . . . the extra car functions required for when it's raining (demisters, windscreen wipers, etc.) all use fuel, so make sure your tank isn't low
-
Grip in weather is important, so check your tyres are in good working order
-
Also check the tyre tread depth (balding tyres can severely reduce traction on wet surfaces)
-
Test the windscreen wipers and top up the windscreen washer fluid if it's running low
-
Wipe your feet on the floor mat before using the pedals to make sure your shoes aren't slippery
-
Make sure all the car lights are in good working order
Turn On Your Headlights
Be seen, people!
Even if it's only spitting outside or there isn't much rain, turning on your vehicle’s headlights when driving in the rain has the effect of increasing both your own visibility and the ability of other drivers to see your own car on the road.
Just be sure to use dipped headlights and not full-beam.
Unless you're taking part in Wacky Races, you don't want to blind drivers of other vehicles.
Best avoid fog lights though (unless, of course, it's foggy), as they can make your brake lights less clear.
Use Your Windshield Wipers
It might seem like common sense, but a lot of drivers forget to take this simple step, or they don't change them from the 'auto' setting.
The problem with the 'auto' setting in a lot of cars is that it doesn't make the windscreen wiper blades go as fast as they should do for certain types of rain, meaning it's up to you to manually flick the stalk to a higher setting (which some of us forget to do).
But even on the highest wiper setting, sometimes the rain is so heavy that your visibility is still affected, meaning it could actually be safer to pull over in a safe place and wait it out.
Note that you can also buy certain products which can be sprayed or wiped onto the glass to help assist in the collection of rainwater.
Avoid Cruise Control
Cruise control is a cool feature and can make driving a lot less easier, as you don't have to have your foot hovering over the accelerator the whole time.
But that's kind of the problem . . .
You're paying less attention to the road and your feet won't be as ready to hit the pedals, which can be especially dangerous in rainy weather.
Be Careful of Standing Water
In other words, puddles . . .
Driving through them can cause your vehicle to hydroplane – which is when your tyres lose traction, causing the car to skid on the road surface.
Bottom line: try to avoid driving through any water whenever you can (in light rain as well), no matter the amount that's there. Drive around parts of the road where water has collected by changing lanes or safely steering around such areas.
It really helps to grip the steering wheel tightly when you go through puddles.
Driving Through Deeper Water
Not puddles, but actual fords or even light flooding.
In those cases, if there is an alternative, drier route . . . please take it!
If not, there's certain steps you should follow:
-
First, check how deep the water is – we don't recommend you drive a standard car through water with a depth of more than 10cm (roughly the length of a photograph or a colouring pencil).
-
Stick to the highest part of the road when driving through the water, and go slowly without stopping.
-
Once you’ve crossed, test and dry your brakes as soon as possible. If something doesn't feel right, consider getting a professional brake inspection.
Maintain a Safe Distance Between Cars
Remember that 2-second stopping distance rule from the Holy Grail of driving books – the Highway Code?
Double it.
Yep, when driving in the rain, maintain a 4-second distance from the vehicle in front and reducing your speed slightly to account for the increased braking distance due to wet roads.
Section 227 clearly states: "In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads (...) because your tyres have less grip on the road."
This is especially helpful if the driver of the vehicle in front of you decided to suddenly slam on the brakes (whether due to an accident in front or whatever . . . it happens).
Stop Your Windows From Fogging Up
Steamed-up windows are a nuisance AND a hazard.
Rain causes humidity levels to increase, which is why you might find your car's windows becoming foggy, and it's important to know what to do when that mist does come.
To counteract it, you should have your air-conditioning turned on, no matter how uncomfortable that might seem (it's cold enough already in wet weather, right?).
Or if the steam is so bad that your visibility is seriously affected, then it might be best to pull over and find a safe place to park, then wait out the storm.
Avoid Heavy Braking
Instead of braking heavily and suddenly, try anticipating junctions and stopping points by taking your foot off the accelerator well in advance.
Braking harshly when driving in the rain can cause you to skid on roads and lose control of the vehicle. It's one of the biggest causes of accidents in the rain. When applying the brakes, you should instead give yourself more time and ease down gently on the pedal.
If you feel that your brakes are stiff, or if they make a squeaking sound or if the brake pad vibrates, then you may need to book in for a brake inspection.
How Much Slower Should You Drive in the Rain?
There's a lot of debate around this, but it's really up to your own discretion.
As a general rule though, you should try to drive slower than the official speed limit on any given road when it's raining. One third slower is the usual guidance. So if the speed limit is, say 60mph, then try doing 40mph.
It might not get you from A to B quite as fast, but driving consistently slower than you normally would is always a safe way to go.
Wet roads are dangerous. Your vehicle's reaction times aren't as quick. All it can take is a split second for things to go horribly wrong.
What To Do If You Break Down In the Rain
Figures show that breakdowns increase dramatically in the midst of wet weather due to damp-causing issues with engine systems and electrical systems.
So if you break down in heavy rain, shut your car hood down to stop the electrical system from being soaked.
If your motor has shut down while in deep water, don't attempt to restart the car as this could cause a mechanical problem.
Summary
So, that's your lot!
There's a ton of things you should do to help when it comes to driving in the rain, but if we had to pick 2 things that are the most important, it would have to be 1) Reducing your speed, and 2) Turning on your headlights.
Drive safe, people.
FAQs
Is it safe to drive in heavy rain?
Yes, but it's not advisable. During heavy rain, there's always the risk that your vehicle could aquaplane. This is when your tyres lose contact with the road due to the build-up of water, causing you to lose control of the vehicle.
Should you slow down when driving in rain?
Yes. Due to your tyres having less traction on wet roads, you should slow down by about a third. Also, it's best to maintain a 4-second stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you.