#Driving in heavy rain how to#
#Driving in heavy rain drivers#
#Driving in heavy rain free#
#Driving in heavy rain windows#

Most of you reading this will already have your driving licence (and probably had it for a while!) We've all driven in heavy rain and (hopefully!) stayed unscathed.īut it never hurts to have a refresher on driving in the rain safety tips- ESPECIALLY if you are going to be driving a bigger vehicle than usual (you know… like a motorhome…)

#Driving in heavy rain drivers#

A few years ago, Highways England launched a “Rain Kills” warning to drivers in the hope to reduce these sad statistics.

Staying Safe While Driving in the Rain at NightĪccording to Highways England, people are 30 times more likely to be killed or injured on the roads when it is raining, rather than in snow or icy conditions.Īpparently, we automatically adjust our expectations and driving style in snow, fog or ice, but not so much in rain.

Make planning your next road trip EASY (& fun!).

#Driving in heavy rain how to#

How to Stay Safe When Driving in Heavy Rain.Driving in the rain safety tips- before you set off.How much slower should you drive in the rain?.Once you’re clear of the water, pump your brakes in short bursts to test and dry them thoroughly. Don’t stop your car, or you may flood your exhaust – an expensive problem to repair. Enter the water one car at a time and drive slowly along the highest point in the road. If you must go through standing water, slow down to around 5 miles per hour. Never enter moving water, or drive into water deeper than 10cm. Dipped headlights are sufficient to increase your visibility without blinding other drivers.Īlways treat puddles, standing water, and floods with extreme caution. However, neither are advised as they dazzle other road users. It can be tempting to use full-beamed headlights and fog lights when driving in the rain. Pull over where it is safe to do so and continue once the weather conditions improve. Stop: Always consider pausing your journey if you need to. Gently ease off the accelerator until you feel control returning. Avoid braking hard, as this increases the chance of skidding.Īquaplaning: When a car loses its grip on the road because of surface water, steering, and braking can feel light and unresponsive. The two-second rule, applied in fair weather conditions, becomes the four-second rule. When a road is very wet, it takes double the time and distance to stop. Giving other road users space increases your ability to see hazards and plan your response. Increase the distance between you and other drivers: Poor visibility means it takes longer for drivers to spot and respond to hazards. Visibility is poor when driving in heavy rain, so adjust your driving accordingly. Once you’ve completed all the above checks, you’re ready to set off on your journey.ĭon’t risk your safety or other road users for the sake of speed. And most importantly, remember to allow extra time for your journey. Tune your radio to local stations because they often include traffic updates and road closures, which will save you time on your journey. Is your preferred route prone to flooding? If so, you may need an alternative. Food and water: If you have an accident, it may take time to recover your car safely.A waterproof coat, a change of clothes and a blanket: If you break down and need to leave your car, you will probably get wet, and the only thing worse than being soaked through is being soaked and freezing cold.A charged mobile phone: If you break down, you’ll need to phone for roadside assistance and let your family know you’re safe.When driving in heavy rain, never leave the house without: Make sure you pack supplies (just in case).Īs the saying goes, it’s better safe than sorry. Driving when your vehicle doesn’t comply with the rules above is illegal and very dangerous in adverse weather conditions.ģ. Your tyres’ inflation level and tread depth are what provide that grip. Driving in heavy rain reduces your tyres’ grip on the road. Tyres: Car tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications (check your manual) and must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Driving with damaged blades results in streaking, smears, and patches of poor visibility – stress you don’t need when your vision is already poor. Heavy rain severely restricts your visibility, so clearing your windscreen will be incredibly important.

#Driving in heavy rain free#

Wiper blades: Windscreens must be kept free from obstructions for vision.

#Driving in heavy rain windows#

Petrol: Driving in heavy rain uses more fuel than normal driving conditions because you use your air conditioning to prevent the windows from steaming up. Can your car safely transport you from A to B? The safest option may be to delay your journey until the rain stops.Ģ. Sounds obvious, but it’s a question drivers often overlook.Īssess the driving conditions and decide if the risks outweigh the benefits.