8 Helpful Tips For Driving In Heavy Rain!

The UK is notorious for quick weather changes from sun to snow to rain and that’s just in one day. We’ve all had one of those moments in the car where the heavens have opened and you're faced with an onslaught of torrential rain, where your wipers are doing their best but it’s still a struggle.

We’re here to help you to get through those moments with 8 tips on how to handle heavy rain whilst on the road. 

1. Delay your journey, it’s obvious but if the rain is drastically coming down before getting in your van, then put off the journey if you can, only drive if it is absolutely necessary.

Although it not always easy to plan for heavy rain (even if we can assume most days there will be rain UK…) where possible plan ahead and be careful to avoid areas that are prone to flooding. Again, if possible allow extra time for your journey, as there may be more traffic than usual.

2. Adapt your driving to suit the weather, meaning try your hardest to stick to stopping distances in poor weather. Avoid sudden moves such as reckless steering or sudden braking that may unbalance the car and result in skidding. In short be aware of your surroundings, driving in heavy rain puts you at a higher risk of an accident, therefore be cautious.

3. Only attempt to navigate flood water if you are certain of its depth, and keep to a slow, steady speed to avoid creating waves. It’s always better to ayre on the side of caution if you’re unsure don’t take a risk in an attempt to save time.

4. Try to avoid driving through water that is fast flowing as, even in a good sturdy van, you may easily get swept away and serious damage may be caused to the vehicle. Not only could your van become damaged, but you are also putting yourself at risk, where you can avoid proceeding through fast flowing water.

5. If you do drive through flood water, keep to where you believe is the highest part of the road. If possible, look at other vehicles to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine may cause it to stall, and deep water may actually float the vehicle off the road. Try to make educated judgements and where possible find an alternative route.

6. If you find yourself aquaplaning, (tyres gliding along the surface of the water, instead of the road surface), try to gently ease off the accelerator in an attempt to avoid skidding and let the van slow, while you steer in the direction you’re headed. In this situation, stay calm and avoid breaking sharply - your tyres will eventually regain contact with the road.

7.Flood water could quite possibly damage your engine, that’s why it is important to not try and restart your engine if it cuts out. In this instance it is best to have a professional look over your vehicle’s engine. It is also essential to have the brakes tested to ensure they are working properly.

8. Remember to take emergency supplies on your journey as you may be delayed. A torch, high visibility jacket, blankets, snacks, and hot drinks are essential.

As always, we hope you found these tips insightful as well as useful. Similarly, there are other blogs about how the colder weather can affect your vehicle on our website, be sure to check those out if you are looking for further information!