A Guide to Driving in Rain

Before you drive in heavy rain you should ask yourself, is this journey essential? Wet, slippery roads combined with reduced visibility significantly make driving in rain even more challenging even for the most experience drivers.

If your journey in the rain is unavoidable, being well-prepared before you set off as well as knowing what to do during and after your journey is vital. This handy guide covers everything you need to know about driving safely in wet weather and how to reduce your risk of a rain-related car breakdown.

Before you set off:

1. Check Your Windscreen Wipers

When driving in the rain having working windscreen wipers is imperative so you need to make sure they're working properly and in good condition. Signs your wipers might need replacing include streaks across the windscreen, squeaking sounds as they wipe or visible cracks in the rubber. Luckily fitting new wipers is a relatively simple job:

1. Lift the wiper arm off the windscreen when the engine is off.


2. How you remove the blade depends on your car. You'll either need to pop open the locking tab or push down on the blade to unhook it from the arm.


3. Now attach the new blade until it clicks or hooks into place.


4. Lower the arm back down taking care not to let it snap against the glass.


5. Once fitted, check your screenwash levels and test them out.

To find out the correct type of wiper blade for your car, check the owner's manual. You can buy them from places like Halfords and Kwik Fit.

Always replace both blades at the same time for even wear.

2. Other Vehicle Maintenance Checks

As well as your windscreen wipers, you need to pay close attention to the following aspects of your car to ensure safe driving in heavy rain.

• Tyres: Check both tyre pressure and tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm but 3mm or more is recommended for better grip on wet roads. Check all four tyres to ensure they meet legal requirements and provide safe traction.


• Brakes: As wet weather increases braking distance you'll need to make sure your brakes feel responsive.


• Lights: Rain reduces visibility for everyone on the road. Test your headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights to confirm they’re all working.


• Fuel: Make sure your tank is full. Rain can cause delays and traffic jams which will increase your fuel consumption. Using your lights, wipers and heater will also increase fuel consumption too.

3. Plan Your Journey

Check both the weather forecast and the road conditions before you leave. Use real-time route planners such as Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze to check for potential delays - they should divert you away from flood-prone areas or roads with high levels of standing water. If the weather is really severe or set to worsen, consider delaying your trip until conditions improve.

4. Pack the Rainy Day Car Essentials

Keep a rainy-day emergency kit in your car so you are ready for any situation. This includes:

• Fully charged mobile phone (and in-car charger or power bank)


• Torch and spare batteries


• First aid kit


• Waterproof clothing or poncho


• High-vis jacket and warning triangle


• Spare screenwash


• Food and drink


• Breakdown provider contact details (make sure they’re saved in your phone)

Once you have set off:

After checking and packing everything, it’s time to get going. Here’s how to tackle driving in heavy rain:

1. Slow Down

Wet roads reduce tyre grip and double your stopping distance compared to dry conditions. Drive slower than usual and allow yourself more time to react to hazards.

2. Increase the Distance Between Vehicles

In addition to slowing down, leave at least a four-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. This gives you plenty of time to brake safely if the driver in front stops suddenly.

3. Use Your Lights Correctly

Switch on your dipped headlights to improve visibility even during the day. However you should avoid using full beam as it can reflect off the rain and dazzle other drivers.

If visibility drops below 100 metres, turn on your fog lights but remember to switch them off once conditions improve.

Be aware that spray from other vehicles can make it difficult to see and be seen.

4. Avoid Standing Water and Floods

Avoid driving through large puddles or floodwater whenever possible as hitting deep water can cause your car to aquaplane, otherwise known as hydroplane, which is where your tyres lose contact with the road. If you feel this happening, ease off the accelerator and keep the steering straight until you regain control.

Never attempt to drive through deep or fast-flowing water. Even shallow floods can stall your engine or hide hazards like potholes and missing drain covers. If you are unsure of the depth you should try to find an alternative route.

If you do accidentally drive through more water than expected, don’t panic. You might notice steam coming from the bonnet - this is usually just water evaporating from the engine or exhaust. If your car starts to misfire or displays a warning light then you need to pull over and call your breakdown provider.

How to Deal with Wet Brakes

If, after driving through a puddle, your brakes feel weak or unresponsive, there are squealing or screeching noises (brake chatter), or you can feel your vehicle pulling to one side, there is a high likelihood that you have wet brakes.

To dry your brakes, lightly press the brake pedal several times while driving slowly and safely. This generates heat and evaporates moisture. Continue doing this until the brakes feel normal again and the squealing noise goes away.

If the issue still persists, pull over and contact your breakdown provide; water in the brakes can cause serious safety issues.

5. Drive Smoothly

Accelerate, brake and steer gently and gradually to maintain control throughout the drive.

When going downhill, change down into lower gears as this will give you better traction.

If your steering suddenly feels unresponsive, it means your tyres aren’t gripping the road. Lift off the accelerator and allow the car to slow naturally.

What to Do if You Break Down in the Rain

1. Pull over safely and switch on your hazard lights.


2. Exit the vehicle carefully and move to a safe spot away from traffic.


3. Call your breakdown provider and have your policy details and location to hand.


4. Avoid standing in floodwater or near moving water as it may be deeper or flowing faster than it looks.

Breakdown Cover

Driving in the rain can be unpredictable but having comprehensive breakdown cover means you’ll never be left stranded - a reliable breakdown insurance policy provides peace of mind when you need it most.

Final Thoughts

Driving safely in the rain is all about preparation, patience, and awareness. By following these simple wet-weather driving tips and keeping your breakdown cover up to date, you can stay safe on the road no matter how heavy the downpour.