How to drive in the rain

Stay safe with our top 10 wet weather driving tips

Driving in heavy rain and floods can be hazardous and sometimes cause accidents and breakdowns. As the driving and car maintenance experts, we’ve put together our top advice for safe driving in wet weather and driving on wet roads.

You’ll also find some handy tips to on driving through water and floods. 

Let’s dive in! Here’s our top advice on how to drive in the rain

• 1. Slow down! - When you drive in the rain, wet roads are much more slippery. With less grip and traction, cut your speed and you’ll reduce the risk of losing control
• 2. Keep your distance - Stopping distances are doubled on wet roads, and so you should allow more distance to stop.
• 3. Don’t brake too hard - leaves and debris on wet roads can cause skidding under braking
• 4. Check your tyres – especially for driving in heavy rain. Your tyres should always be in good condition with the correct tyre pressure and tread depth for optimal grip. We can help if you need advice on tyres
• 5. Avoid using cruise control – with a much higher chance of skidding or aquaplaning, and reduced stopping distances, using cruise control in the rain can be dangerous
• 6. Use dipped headlights – visibility is often reduced when you drive in the rain. Your headlights will make you more visible to other road users. Are they all working correctly?
• 7. Keep your Car Maintenance up to date – such as windscreen wipers. The rubber blades can become perished and even damage your windscreen. Our Vehicle Health Check is a fast and easy way to ensure your car’s safety and reliability
• 8. Keep in lane on the motorway - Large or fast-moving vehicles can create spray, reducing visibility
• 9. Use your air conditioning – it will stop your windscreen and windows from fogging up. Do you remember the last time you had an air-con service? Get in touch if you think it needs checking
• 10. Watch out for localised flooding – when driving through water, it can be deep in places, making potholes impossible to see and cause aquaplaning when your tyres lose contact with the road.

Driving through water

Flooding and standing water can occur after heavy rain. It’s particularly dangerous to drive at speed through standing water as you could lose tyre grip or damage your car. Curbs, culverts and holes can also be an unseen hazard. And you can’t always know the depth of water on a flooded road either. Deep water can cause expensive damage to your car’s engine and electrical parts. If you think it’s safe to pass through, drive slowly and steadily in a low gear to avoid creating a wave.

Should you drive through flood water?

Never take the risk of driving into moving flood water. The force can be surprisingly strong, especially over flooded bridges. It’s not advisable to attempt to drive through standing water more than 10cm deep. Try to find an alternative route.

What to do after driving through water?

Once you have negotiated a flood or standing water on the road, test your brakes as soon as you can. If you notice anything abnormal - engine noises or electrical faults, stop immediately. If in doubt, get in touch with your local Brayley dealership. We’ll be happy to check your car for you.

Servicing Contact us

Driving in the rain - FAQs:

We’ve answered your Frequently Asked Questions on driving in wet weather conditions:

How do you drive a car in heavy rain?

Slower than you would normally while maintaining a steady speed. Avoid hard accelerating, hard braking and sudden movement of the steering wheel. Increase the distance from the car in front and turn on your headlights.

What speed should you drive in the rain?

When you’re driving in the rain, you should adapt your speed to the road and weather conditions. As a general rule, reduce your speed by 5 or 10 mph, depending on the type of road and traffic.

What is a good tip for driving in wet weather?

Keep your air conditioning on. It’s an effective way to prevent your windscreen and windows misting up.

What are stopping distances in the rain?

Stopping distances twice as long, so you should allow more distance to slow down and stop. You’ll need 46 metres at 30mph – that’s nearly half a football field. And at 60mph, stopping will take at least 146 metres – over 480 feet!

Is it safe to drive in the rain?

It can be, if you moderate your speed, take into account reduced tyre grip and greater stopping distances. You’ll reduce the risks of accidents when you’re driving in the rain.

What is aquaplaning?

Aquaplaning is where your car tyres lose contact with the road when you hit a puddle or standing water too fast. The steering becomes light and it’s difficult to control of the car. If you think you might be aquaplaning, avoid braking but reduce your speed by easing off the accelerator. As your speed drops, you should regain control as your tyres grip the road.

How do you avoid aquaplaning?

You can avoid aquaplaning by reducing your speed when you drive on wet roads.

Trust Brayleys to keep you safe on the road

Keeping your car in optimum condition is the first step to staying safe on the road in any season. Breakdowns always increase in wet weather due to water getting into the engine and electrical systems. You’ll find the full range of Car Servicing and Car Maintenance at your local Brayleys main dealer.

We’re your first call for tyres, air conditioning servicing, and your seasonal Vehicle Health Check. Drive away with the reassurance that your car won’t let you down when you need it most.