Living in Britain means that we’re used to the dark, dreary days where the weather can change at any moment - which also means we need to take extra precautions when we’re planning on travelling long distances. Making sure our cars are in top condition for the wet conditions is imperative to keeping yourself, your family and other drivers safe. We’ve compiled this list of ways you can prepare your car to drive in rainy weather and also how you can keep yourself safe once you are on the road.
Preparing to drive heavy rain
When you know the weather is about to turn, it’s essential to make sure that everything on your car is in full working order so that you and other drivers are as safe as possible on the road:
Check your windscreen wipers
Perhaps one of the most important components on your car in the pouring rain are your front and rear wipers. It’s vital that your windscreen is clear at all times so that you have a clear view of the road ahead and of other drivers. Whilst clearing the pouring rain when you are driving is the obvious job of the wipers, they also help to clear away spray and dirt that may accumulate as you drive along after heavy rain. Wipers in poor condition cause smears across the glass, which can create poor visibility and distract you from keeping your eyes on the road. Make sure that they are clean and in good condition before you head out on the road. You will also need to top up your washer bottle fluid to ensure you can keep your windscreen clean once the rain has stopped.
Top up with fuel before you go
Rain can cause a lot of accidents or hold ups on the road, which may mean you could be stuck in a lot of traffic for a while. If you commute long distances, the risk of traffic will be higher. Topping up your fuel until the tank is full is highly recommended so that you don’t get caught out on the roads in standing traffic. This is particularly important for those travelling on the motorway or on roads they don’t know as well - then there’s no panic if you don’t know where the nearest petrol station is or if you’ll make it in time.
Keep an eye and ear out for local traffic news
Local traffic news will be able to tell you if there are any road closures, flooding or any accidents that have occurred because of the heavy rain. This means that you can plan ahead by taking another route if necessary or staying at home or working from home for the day if there are too many issues on the road. This is so that you don’t get stranded on the way to or from your location, or put yourself at risk by trying to take a journey that is too perilous.
Carry some essentials with you
If you’re taking a trip when you know the weather is going to be bad, you could take some essentials with you just in case you break down, are stuck in traffic or something happens during your journey. Make sure that you take a fully-charged mobile phone with you so that you can call someone should you encounter difficulties on your journey, bottled water to keep yourself hydrated in traffic jams and warm blankets just in case you break down and can’t get out of the vehicle because of the rain.
Ensure your tyres are legal
Tyres are the main component on your car that can keep you safe on wet roads - ensuring they are in top condition could be the difference between a safe journey and a deadly one. Always check that your tyres are within the legal limit (1.6mm is the absolute minimum) and if the tread is at or below 3mm, you should get them replaced. Certain tyres have the ability to push water away from the car to prevent you from aquaplaning and keep you safe on the road. If you are planning on travelling often, make sure you choose these tyres and keep them inflated to the right pressure - this ensures they are in optimal condition to take on the treacherous conditions without issues.
Make sure your lights are working
Your lights are important for you to see ahead, but so other drivers can see you as well. When rain really gets going, it can make it difficult to see ahead - even during the daylight hours! If you have a silver, grey or dark coloured car, you can end up blending in with the mist or spray, especially if you are on the motorway or A road. Always ensure your lights are on during these conditions, but before that you’ll need to make sure they are working and can be seen clearly. Don’t use your fog lights in the rain - you could end up dazzling someone or they may mistake your fog lights for your brake lights.
Driving in heavy rain
Once you have checked your car over to make sure that it is prepared to tackle the adverse weather and you have had the car looked over by a professional, there are things you need to do as the driver to make sure that you are keeping yourself and others safe during heavy rain, or in some instances as it gets closer to winter, even snow:
Drive slowly
Whilst it may be tempting to maintain the speed limit wherever you go, the faster you drive in bad weather conditions, the more likely you are to have an accident - this could be because you can’t see properly, or the rain has made the road surface treacherous. If you are travelling on twisty roads or motorways, particularly in the dark, it is always advised that you drive slower and maintain a reasonable distance between you and the vehicle in front - this is so the risk of an accident is reduced and you may be able to react quicker should something occur because of the rain. Things like puddles and flooding are a main cause for accidents, as there is an increased risk of aquaplaning or flooding the engine.
Use your air-conditioning
When it rains, the temperatures could get a little bit cooler. This means your car may be more prone to steaming up and reducing visibility as you’re driving along. Using your air-conditioning means that you can reduce the amount of steam build-up and keep your windows clear - in most cases, if you drive along with steamed windows, it means there is limited visibility for the driver and you will be driving illegally. We also recommend ensuring that all of your windows are clear so that you can check your blind spots as well.
Don’t drive through deep puddles
Whilst most puddles are shallow enough that we can just drive through them, others are located on dips or valleys in the middle of the road which fill rapidly with deep water, especially after a bout of heavy rain or continuous rain over a few days. If you are going to drive through a manageable puddle, make sure to take it slowly as there could be debris or potholes underneath the surface that could do some damage to your car. If you see a puddle that is too big and you’re not sure you’ll make it through safely - don’t take the risk. A flooded engine will leave you stranded in the middle of the flood and will not only make it more difficult for you to get out, but could also end up blocking the road.
Be wary of others around you
It’s inevitable in the rain that everyone is going to get a bit wet, but it’s important to be mindful of the other people around you - especially pedestrians. Of course, spray is a part of the wet conditions that’s unavoidable but when there are people walking at the side of the road, be mindful that you don’t spray them too much with puddle water or you splash them on purpose for no reason. Purposely splashing someone with puddle water is illegal under section three of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and could land you with a hefty fine of up to £5,000. A hefty price to pay for what you may think is a bit of fun!
Stay safe in the rain with Swansway
Staying safe during heavy downpours ensures that drivers, passengers and pedestrians get where they need to go without incident. There are many things you can do to get your car rain-ready, such as getting it serviced or MOT’d, getting a free vehicle health check or getting a free brake check by a professional. Keeping your car maintained is a good way to ensure that your car is safe and reliable in adverse conditions. If you’re looking for a new car to help you traverse the bad weather, take a look at our huge range of new and used vehicles that we have available today. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.