Driving in the rain can be hazardous and, here in the UK, we get a lot of it. Knowing how to drive in the rain safely is crucial and could save a lot of drivers from having accidents.
Here are some top tips to remember if you are driving when it rains.
Allowing Sufficient Distance
Allowing sufficient distance when it’s raining goes without saying. However, a lot of motorists still tend to remain at normal ‘dry-day’ distances from the car in front.
A rule of thumb is that you should allow 4 seconds from the car in front of you when driving in the rain. You should also take some extra care when you’re behind larger vehicles such as lorries, as they spray far more water, which could even reduce your visibility. Which brings us to our next point:
Maintaining your Visibility
Good visibility is essential so that you can see where you are going in your car. Without it you could find yourself in some sticky situations.
Be sure to use your dipped headlights during the day if it is raining. This will also help other drivers see you, as their vision will also be reduced due to the rain.
Be sure to check that your air-con unit is working as well since this will help you demist the windows, particularly when the rain is torrential.
If you need your air-con re-gassed our team at Tivoli will be happy to help.
Driving Through Water
When on the roads, make sure you avoid driving through water wherever possible. Deep water could result in your car getting stuck, or damaged, and shallow surface water could result in aquaplaning if you’re not careful.
If you must drive through water, do it slowly and gently apply your brakes afterwards to dry them off if they get really wet.
Tyre Tread & Pressure
When driving in the rain it is important to have optimal tyre pressure so that you have good traction. Without this, you could potentially lose control, so be sure to check your tyre pressure often.
The same goes for tyre tread, this needs to be optimal for rain as well. The recommended minimum depth for tread is 3mm on all tyres.
Without sufficient tread, your car will, in theory, be gliding on the water as there is nowhere for the water to filter out through.
Cruise Control
Cruise control is a handy feature for long motorway drives. However, you should refrain from using it in the rain. If you need to reduce your speed for any reason, prevent losing traction by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator instead of braking (unless braking genuinely is necessary). If cruise control is on, you won’t be able to do this.
Tivoli Auto Services
We are an independent garage based in Hastings. If you have any issues with your car, or need a new service and MOT, bring your car down to Tivoli and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
Contact us today on 01424 442277 to get your car booked in. We are here to give any advice to help you get the most out of your vehicle.
