Stay safe in wet weather

Driving in wet weather can be hazardous as wet roads can mean reduced visibility and grip on the road.

Be prepared:

• Is your journey essential? can you delay your journey until after the rain / flooding as subsided?
• If you do have to travel - plan your journey in advance and try to avoid areas that are prone to flooding
• Check that your windscreen wiper blades are in good condition - if not get them replaced
• Make sure all your lights are working

Driving on wet roads

• Use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you
• Adjust your speed and drive for the conditions – give yourself time to react
• Slow down if spray is reducing visibility
• Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front – it takes at least twice as long to stop on wet roads that it does on dry ones
• Slow down if you have to drive through standing water - you could lose control of the steering and aquaplane if your tires lose contact with the road

Driving through floods

• Avoid driving through floods if you can
• Never drive through water if you are unsure of the depth – take the long way round rather than risk your safety
• Just 15cm of water will reach the bottom of most cars; the depth the water could cause possible loss of control or stall the car
• Many cars will start to float in as little as a 30cm of water – causing you to lose control of the car
• 60cm of free flowing water can sweep away most vehicles including large 4x4’s
• If you have to drive through flood water
• drive on the highest section of the road – this is usually the middle
• consider other drivers and properties - drive slowly so you don’t cause a bow wave
• Test your brakes as soon as you can after leaving the water
• Never drive through fast-moving water - your car could easily be swept away
• Watch your speed – roads may have unexpected patches of water that are hidden by a dip or bend in the road – driving at speed into water that is 15cm deep can feel like driving into a brick wall