Autumn and winter can bring difficult driving conditions, in particular wet weather. Storms can bring heavy rain and winds, and as the temperatures plummet drivers also have slush, snow and ice to contend with. Driving in heavy rain can be hazardous, and at this time of year it’s often dark too.
Stay safe on the road with these wet weather driving tips, and be sure the car is safe before you set off.
Fill up
Before you set off on a journey in the rain it is advisable to fill up the fuel tank. A combination of using wipers, lights and heaters and getting stuck in slow moving traffic can use up extra fuel. Better safe than sorry – stop at a garage on your way.
Go slow
Stopping distances in the rain can double, as tyres have less grip on the road surface. The best thing to keep in mind is to drive at a much slower speed than normal, even when you think the rain isn’t too heavy. When driving in wet weather, go slow and keep your distance from vehicles in front.
Watch out for spray
Pay attention to the road around you during heavy rain, especially when driving on the motorway. Other vehicles, especially large lorries or cars moving at a fast speed, can cause a good amount of spray which can hit your car and impair your vision. Avoid anything which could reduce your visibility including driving through puddles to cause a large splash.
Avoid fog lights
Fog lights should only be used in extreme conditions when there aren’t many motorists on the road. They can dazzle other drivers, and from the back switching on the fog lights can disguise your brake lights, which gives motorists no warning when you are slowing down.
Keep clear
One of the common problems faced by motorists when driving in wet weather is misting up of the windows and windscreen. Even if you demist the windscreen before setting off, warm air inside the car can cause windows to steam up again very quickly. The simple solution is to use the air conditioner or cold air blower when it is raining. This should prevent the air inside the car becoming too warm or moist.
Always take extra caution when driving in the rain, as you can quickly lose control of the vehicle. Be aware of what is happening around you and always reduce speed.