Ford in the rain
Driving sensibly in the rain will ensure you arrive safely – not to mention less stressed Credit: PA

The simple rules to remember that can make your journey easier and safer when driving in the wet

With forecasters predicting a wet and stormy Christmas getaway, the prospect of driving in heavy rain is rearing its head once again for many in Britain. For many, it’s a daunting task, and no wonder – rain not only reduces visibility, but also the amount of grip your car has, increasing stopping distances.

But drive along a motorway in heavy weather, and it’s clear that for others, the opposite is true; many of Britain’s motorists are so over-confident in rain that they barely modify their driving style to suit, if at all.

That’s why we’ve put together a guide to driving safely in wet weather. If you find rain scary when you’re on the road, then following these key pointers will help you stay safe. And even if you’re confident in the rain, have a read through, and check you’re driving as safely as you could be.

Mini driving through flood
Know what you’re getting yourself into before driving through a flood Credit: London News Pictures/Rex Features

Driving through a flood

Never forget that floods are inherently dangerous, and before you try driving through one, you should be absolutely certain that it’s safe to do so.

And even if you think the flood is relatively safe, remember that driving through deep water can cause serious damage to your car which might not be covered by your insurance company.

Watch other cars driving through to get a feel for how deep the flood is. If there are no other cars around, don’t risk it – there may be submerged obstacles, or the water might be fast-flowing, which could sweep your car away.

If you’re in any doubt whatsoever, turn around and find another route.

If you do opt to drive on, though, make sure your path is clear right the way through to the other side of the flood. Don’t drive into the water when there is still another car driving through the flood. They might stop, which would strand you in the water.

Try and keep the car at the highest point on the road, if it’s safe to do so, so that it’s as far out of the water as it can get.

Don’t drive too fast, as this might cause you to aquaplane. Instead, find a steady speed you’re comfortable with.

Once you’ve accelerated up to that speed, try not to slow down, if you can help it. Any reduction in speed can cause water to flow back into the radiator grille and be ingested into the engine, or even to be sucked up by the exhaust pipe. Either will likely cause expensive damage, potentially even writing the car off.

As you reach the other side of the flood, drive out of the water carefully, and test your brakes before continuing your journey.

Reference: click here.

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