Tips: Do You Know How To Drive In The Rain ?

      Safe driving in the rain !

Driving in the rain can be dangerous, so take a look at these guidelines to make sure your wet weather journeys are as safe as they can be.

Before you drive:

Plan ahead - You’ll have to drive more slowly and the roads are more likely to be congested so you’ll need more time.

Check your wiper blades – Your windscreen wipers are essential in the rain for obvious reasons, but it’s no good if they’re dirty or old and worn out. You should also check that your washer bottle is topped up.
Check your tyres – You should check them regularly anyway, but it’s even more important when it’s wet. Bald tyres offer significantly less grip on wet roads and are far more prone to ‘aquaplaning’ (see below).
Wipe your feet - Your shoes will likely be wet when you get in the car and could slip off the pedals, so give them a quick rub on the floor mat before you get going.

When you're driving

Slow down – It’s an obvious tip, but always worth mentioning.

Double the gap – between yourself and the car in front. You should always maintain a safe distance but it’s crucial in wet weather as you need to account for larger stopping distances.

Keep your distance – from larger vehicles like trucks and buses as the spray from their wheels will reduce visibility.

Turn on dipped headlights – to make sure other can see you, but avoid using your beam or rear fog light (unless it’s actually required of course) as they can dazzle or distract other drivers.

Be cautious around standing water – especially if you can’t tell the depth.
Driving fast through standing water is dangerous as you could lose control. There’s also a risk that you could cause expensive damage to your car, especially if you flood the engine.

Beware of ‘aquaplaning’ - This is when your tyres can’t displace the water in front of them fast enough so they begin riding on a layer of water. If your steering becomes unresponsive don’t slam on the brakes, just ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel as straight as possible. You should then slow down gradually and regain contact with the road.

Keep the bonnet closed – if you break down. Letting too much rain in could make it much harder to start the car again.

Tips provided by esure