Your Guide to Driving in Wet Weather

There are a number of risks to driving in wet weather, but there are plenty of things you can do to minimize your risks and make it more likely that you’ll enjoy a safe journey. When it’s bucketing down outside, the last thing you’ll want to do is leave the car at home. However, it’s important that you take the wet weather and conditions into consideration when setting out and it’s a good idea to remind yourself of all of the tips and tricks to staying safe on the roads in the wet – even if you’ve been driving for years.

Being seen is another extremely important concern when it comes to driving in the rain, so make sure you do turn on your headlights when there are wet conditions. Another good tip is to make sure that you keep your headlights on a low beam, this is because high beams can cause excessive glare and actually impede your ability to see the road ahead. When it’s wet, you should also brake earlier and with less force, this is to maximize the stopping distance between you and cars in front and give other drivers plenty of warning.

You should also remember that conditions can be even worse when rain falls just after a long dry spell, this is because engine oil and grease will have had the chance to build up and will become slick when the rain hits it.

On the other hand, if the rain is heavy and persistent you need to be careful to avoid aquaplaning. This happens when rain pools on the surface of the road and if you’re steering goes very light while driving in wet conditions, it could be because you are aquaplaning. Gently releasing the accelerator helps your tires regain traction with the road and is the best way to ease your way back to safety.

As rain can impact on your visibility levels, it’s a good idea to do everything you can to improve it. This includes making sure your windscreens are clean to help keep them from misting up. You should also make sure the windscreen wash you use is of a good quality and replace any wipers that are becoming worn or ineffective.

In the same vein, it’s also important to make sure that your demister is good enough to clear the windows quickly. You’ll also want to make sure you repair windscreen chips beforehand to make sure your vision is as clear as possible. Exercise caution and you should be a safer wet-weather driver.