How to drive safely in the rain
Driving in the rain can be challenging. From reduced visibility to worsened grip on the road, there are plenty of pitfalls that can cause problems for even the most experienced drivers.
From driving in heavy wintery showers or a light summer rainfall, discover our top tips for safe driving in wet weather.
1. Slow down
Driving too fast in wet conditions is risky because rain reduces both braking performance and overall grip. When the road is wet, braking distances can almost double at higher speeds, such as on motorways. This means your car will take much longer to stop compared to dry conditions.
Slowing down gives you more space and time to react if traffic suddenly stops, which is more common during heavy rain.
If rain falls after a long dry period, or if temperatures are low enough for ice to form, the road surface becomes even more slippery. In these situations:
- Take corners even more slowly.
- Avoid accelerating too quickly when exiting a bend, as this can cause the car to lose traction and spin.
In very heavy rain or when roads are flooded, refer to our how to drive through flooded roads guide for tips on navigating roads that are completely underwater.
2. Take care of your tyres
Tyre tread depth
No matter the weather, it’s important to have tyres with sufficient tread depth. Staying well above the legal minimum helps your tyres perform better in wet conditions, reduces the risk of accidents, and keeps you compliant with the law.
If your tyre tread depth reaches 1.6 mm or less, the tyres must be replaced to remain legal and safe. However, it’s best to change them before they reach this point. Many Halfords garages offer same-day tyre fitting, and appointments can be booked online.
For added convenience, Halfords Mobile Expert can replace your tyres at your home or workplace at a time that suits you. Tyre fitting with our Mobile Experts can also be booked online.
If you aren’t sure how to check your tyre tread depth, just head to your local Halfords and we’ll take a look for you as part of our 10-Point Car Check.
Or why not join the thousands of customers signing up to the Halfords Motoring Club and get that check for free, along with a whole host of other benefits? More on that below!
Tyre pressure
You should also check the pressure in all four tyres (and any spares if applicable) at least once a week and top up if needed.
Underinflated tyres are a leading cause of grip loss on wet roads and will make controlling your car in the event of skidding or aquaplaning more difficult. The Halfords Rapid Digital Tyre Inflator is a quick and easy way to re-inflate tyres and there’s even a handy torch on the side if you need to inflate them in the dark!
3. Watch out for aquaplaning
If you’re driving on the motorway and it’s raining heavily, then aquaplaning can be an especially dangerous hazard. This is where a layer of water builds between your tyres and the road surface, reducing grip completely and increasing the risk of your car spinning out.
If you feel the steering wheel go soft and your car moves in any other direction but forward, then you may be aquaplaning. The dangerous aspect of aquaplaning is that you can lose control even when driving in a straight line, so take extra care and consider slowing down if there’s a lot of standing water.
What to do if your car starts to aquaplane:
- Don’t brake suddenly as this can make any sliding or spinning worse.
- Reduce any acceleration in a controlled manner.
- Turn the wheel in the other direction to counteract the spin. This should be a last resort, as it may have no effect if your car is aquaplaning fully at high speed.
As previously mentioned, having correctly inflated tyres with the right amount of tread helps greatly with control in wet conditions.
4. Check your wiper blades
Regularly checking your wiper blades is important for maintaining clear visibility. If you haven’t replaced them since buying your car, or haven’t inspected the rubber in a year or more, it’s worth taking a look.
Damaged or worn blades won’t clear the windscreen effectively, which can reduce your ability to see the road. Sun exposure can cause the rubber to harden and crack, so summer checks are just as important, especially with the frequent showers typical of a British summer.
Wiper blades are inexpensive and simple to fit, but fitting services are available if you prefer not to do it yourself.
How to book a wiper blade fitting?
- You can request a wiper blade fitting in-store.
- Add the fitting on during online checkout.
Premium members of the Halfords Motoring Club can also receive free in‑store fitting for a pair of bulbs, wiper blades, or a battery. If you’re unsure which blades fit your vehicle, you can use the wiper blade lookup tool.
Screenwash
Wet roads can quickly cause dirt and grime to build up on your windscreen, so it’s also important to keep your washer fluid topped up. A ready‑to‑use screenwash can help clear both road dirt and rainwater from the glass.
5. Consider a hydrophobic treatment
For a truly innovative way of ensuring a clear windscreen on every journey, it might be worth considering our Duxback glass treatment. With the help of a specially formulated hydrophobic layer applied to your windscreen (or any other glass on your vehicle), water and wet grime won’t stick to the glass. This means that at speeds of over 40mph, water will simply blow off your screen, so you likely won’t need to use your wipers at all!
You can book your Duxback treatment at your nearest Halfords garage or our Halfords Mobile Experts can come to you at home or work – the choice is yours!
6. Join the Halfords Motoring Club
For all your wet weather needs, join the Halfords Motoring Club today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving in rain or shine.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee of £5.49 (£65.88 total) or £54 annually to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
With these handy tips, you should now be clued up on wet weather driving! Just remember that safer driving in wet weather also includes basic car maintenance, so look after your vehicle and it may end up looking after you.
