When Driving In Rain You Must - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

It pays to take special care when driving in the rain to ensure you complete your journey without serious injury!

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There are many reasons to take extra care, including:

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Stopping distances are increased due to wet road surfaces.
Water on your windscreen makes other vehicles, road signs, pedestrians and the road more difficult to see.
Puddles can form on the road surface and if you’re not careful, you could be at risk of aquaplaning.

Top Tips For Staying Safe When Driving In The Rain

Set your heater controls – Before you set off on your journey make sure you have set your heater controls as rain makes the windows mist up in seconds.
Don’t follow other vehicles, particularly large lorries or buses too closely. The spray created by other vehicles’ tyres makes it more difficult for you to see. The same applies when overtaking – if you must do so, complete your manoeuvre quickly and safely.
Be especially careful when braking as this can cause aquaplaning. If it is safe and possible to do so take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.
Avoid using cruise control, as this may create problems if you start to aquaplane.
Turn on your headlights, particularly if the rain is coupled with gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. As well as helping you to see the road, it makes you more visible to other drivers.
Don’t drive through puddles if you’re unsure of their depth. You could become stuck or damage your car.
Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground beneath. This could result in you being swept away!!
Strong winds can also cause unsteadiness on the road. Make sure you grip your steering wheel firmly and be especially aware of other vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and flat-sided vehicles.
If you begin a journey in the rain, try to wipe your feet on your car mat before starting to drive – the soles of your shoes could slip off the pedals if they’re wet.
Take extra care at junctions. Fuel leakage most often occurs here and when mixed in with rainwater, is a serious skid danger.
If you drive through a water hazard, you must check your brakes afterwards. If they’re wet through, they won’t work correctly. Once you’ve driven out of the water, drive very slowly and touch your brakes lightly. This will both test them and help to generate the heat necessary to dry them out. Make sure your brakes are pulling evenly before driving at normal speed again.