Tips for driving in heavy rain

If you have to make a journey in poor weather, there are some basic precautions that you can take which will keep you and other road users safer. There are a few checks that you should make before you set foot in your car – listen to the weather forecast and be aware of conditions that you might meet on your journey. Take any warnings from the Met Office seriously, and either plan to reroute or postpone your journey.

Allianz Your Cover (www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk) provides the following tips for driving in heavy rain will help to ensure that you reach your destination safely:

Know your Highway Code stopping distances. It will take you longer to stop in the wet, so drive with that in mind. Driving at the legal limit, does not always equate to driving within the safety limit. Cut your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front. If another driver cuts in between you, fall back, and don't be tempted to tailgate them! High winds combined with heavy rain can make driving even more hazardous, so cut your speed further, and be very aware of any high-sided vehicles and large trucks nearby that might need to slow down in a hurry

Drive defensively. You need to be even more alert to potential hazards in very wet conditions when visibility is low. Where you can, avoid following closely or overtaking heavy vehicles that are throwing out curtains of spray. When you are driving on the motorway avoid lane changes as far as possible. Remember that other road users may not spot you in very poor visibility, so always drive on dipped beam, and be prepared to use your fog lights when there is heavy misting.

Regularly check your tyres. Your tyres can be your lifeline in the wet – the tread pattern helps to sluice water from between the road and the tyre. Don't risk waiting until you are close to the legal minimum, but replace worn tyres early. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommendation is to renew your tyres once the tread depth has reached 3mm. Why is this so important? Because worn tyres can lead to the car aquaplaning on a thin layer of water, leaving you without steering or braking control

Check windscreen wipers and washers. Worn windscreen wipers can lead to smearing on the screen and make it difficult to clear in heavy rain, cutting visibility significantly. Check the level in your washer regularly, and use a recommended screen wash to help keep the screen free from road dirt and grease.

Avoid driving through large areas of water. Even if it means a detour, treat large patches of water lying on the road with caution. Getting your car stuck in a flood can at worst be highly dangerous, and at best lead to very expensive repairs. If you have no idea of the depth, assume that it's not safe to proceed unless you see other road users driving safely through. If you do go ahead, drive very slowly, and try to avoid making any waves. Keep the car in first gear and keep the engine revs up by slipping the clutch slightly, which will help to keep water getting into your exhaust pipe and stalling the engine. Once through, check your brakes – applying them lightly a few times helps to dry them out.