subject: Tips: Driving in the wet [print this page] Tips: Driving in the wet Tips: Driving in the wet
Rain is abundant in the UK, and is a leading cause of accidents in the country. By taking some time to follow these tips while driving, you can avoid accidents that tend to drive up your insurance costs (we recommend getting an online car insurance quote from a provider like Your Cover which will take into account your specific needs according to your situation).
Here are some precautions you can take when it is rainy and wet outside.
Take the time to drive slowly. When it rains, the water mixes with fuel, tyre debris, oil, and other substances, making the road more slippery than normal and drastically increasing the time it will take for you to stop. This is especially true after a dry period, since oil will have built up on the road. Additionally, you can aquaplane, or skid on the water over the road, if you try to drive too quickly. Aquaplaning is dangerous since it interferes with braking and turning, so if you find yourself in that situation, decrease your speed gradually.
As noted above, stopping distances increase with water on the road. Leave plenty of room between yourself and the driver in front of you so that you can account for this when you are braking. Sudden braking can cause you to lose control and be involved in an accident. Shortly after leaving your home, and when you are in a safe place free of other motorists, tap on your brakes to see how they respond during inclement weather.
Keep your headlights on so that other motorists can see you clearly, especially during a heavy rain.
Try to avoid flooded streets, since even a shallow depth of water is enough to wash your car away. If you have no alternative but to drive through floodwater, make sure your car stays in first gear and keep your engine speed high to maintain control and prevent water from entering your exhaust pipe.
Ensure that your windows are fully defrosted before attempting to drive. Generally this will take a few minutes while your engine warms up, and although this may seem inconvenient, it will maximize your visibility on the road and could even prevent you from being involved in an accident.
If there is a fog forming, use your fog lights to both improve your own field of vision and allow your car to be visible to other motorists. As soon as the fog lifts, however, remember to shut your fog lights off, both as a courtesy to other drivers and because it is an offence to drive with them on in clear weather.
Travel times can sometimes double in wet weather, so make sure you plan out your time of departure accordingly, so that you will not be in a situation where you need to be driving over the speed limit.
Because you cannot predict what might happen, make sure you have comprehensive cover with a trusted provider- Your Cover insurance provides free online car insurance quotes.
