How to drive in heavy rain or floods

The weather doesn't have to make your commutes unsafe, but there re extra precautions you can take, just in case

Storm after storm, not to mention weather alerts on our phones, the United Kingdom has some pretty unpredictable weather, to say the least.

Surviving the endless rainy weather is so quintessentially English that I’m not sure we’d know how to cope without the weather to complain about.

But, alas, we still have to make our commutes regardless of the weather (most of the time).

So here are some top tips to make your rainy journeys safer.

Allow for extra time or delay your journey 

Driving through heavy rain or floods isn’t exactly a speedy affair—it’s more of a “slow and steady wins the race” situation.

If possible, plan your route ahead of time and give yourself a little extra wiggle room to reach your destination stress-free.

In an ideal world, if the weather wasn’t the safest to travel in, we could simply wait it out. Holding off or even rescheduling all together is the safest option.

But we know that’s not always possible, so make sure you follow the rest of these tips if you’re unable to reschedule.

Check your windscreen wiper blades are fully functional

Want to be able to see when the heavens open up? Windscreen wipers become our best friend — the unsung heroes of rainy drives.

Before your journey begins, give them a quick inspection and make sure they’re in fighting form to battle against the raindrops hammering at you and your car.

You don’t want to be halfway up the dual carriageway only to discover your wipers make the most annoying squeaking noise because a bit of the rubber strip is caught.

Not clearing your view properly isn’t just a crime against visibility —it’ll test your patience too, with every odd noise making the journey feel twice as long (because screeches every four seconds can drive anyone up the wall).

Fuel up first

Avoid setting off without plenty of fuel in your tank—nothing kills the vibe like breaking down in a soggy downpour with nothing but puddles for company.

When the weather’s horrendous, the traffic seems to follow suit, with queues on queues.

And this added time spent on the roads means you need more fuel than usual while sitting in traffic. If a pit stop for fuel is on your to-do list, plan for it before setting off—it’s way less stressful than scrambling for a petrol station mid-journey.

On a rainy cold day, your car tends to sip away at your fuel tank quicker than usual, with your headlights, heaters, and wipers working overtime.

So, be generous when estimating how much you’ll need and pack a little extra in the tank. Better to arrive with leftovers than not at all.

Turn your headlights on

According to the Highway Code, when visibility drops below 100m (about the length of a football pitch), it’s time to light things up with your headlights.

Fog lights? They’re like your car’s secret weapon—but remember to switch them off once the weather clears, or you’ll blind everyone else on the road (not a great way to make friends).

Headlights are a good way to signal to your fellow drivers on the road that you’re there.

Make sure everyone knows you’re there and whack on your headlights where visibility is low.

Make space

When you're driving in the rain, think of it like this: leave a little more wiggle room between you and the car in front—double the usual distance, to be exact.

Why? Well, according to the Highway Code, your stopping distance can be twice as long when it's wet out.

So, give yourself some extra space to stop safely, especially when traffic is a little more squished than usual.

And, as always, be the thoughtful driver you are. Remember to give others the space they need, especially if they’re taking their time in the rain.

After all, we’re all in this together.

Avoid standing water where possible

We know the big child in all of us wants to make a big splash when they drive through a puddle. The reality is driving through water can cause serious damage to your car.

Try avoiding the massive puddles at all costs, especially if you’re not familiar with the road (those potholes can hide from us even more now), or how deep the puddle is. You don’t want your journey to come to an end in the middle of a large puddle.

 If the water is moving or more than 10cm deep, avoid it completely.

If you absolutely have to pass through standing water, you’ll need to take some extra care.

A maximum of second gear through these puddles. By staying in a low gear with high revs for consistent and steady movement, it prevents water getting in your exhaust.

And this is not a group activity. Let the car ahead take the plunge and make it safely to the other side before you wade in.

This way, you’ll dodge any surprise waves and avoid turning the puddle into a car park of stranded cars.

Test your brakes regularly

Once you’re through that big puddle (or small lake), this is the perfect moment to give your brakes a little love tap.

Not only does this help warm up your tyres and improve grip for the ride ahead, but it also ensures your brakes are functioning properly.

While you’re cruising along dry land, try and make it a habit to check those brakes every now and then, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Be prepared for aquaplaning

Aquaplaning— when your car decides wet roads are the perfect excuse for a slip and slide, just to keep things interesting. It happens when too much water sneaks between your tires and the road, leaving you gliding instead of gripping.

It’s a bit of a jump scare when you first experience aquaplaning, but we’ve got tips to help you handle it like a pro.

First, you’ll notice your steering feels oddly light, like your car’s on tiptoes.

Resist the urge to slam the brakes or mash the accelerator. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and let your car slow down naturally.

Braking won’t help much during aquaplaning since your tyres aren’t really connecting with the road—it’s like trying to steer a soap bar on a wet floor.

Just ride it out, and soon enough, your tyres will grab some traction, bringing things back under control.

Stay calm, and you’ll glide through it safely.

Check your tyres

So, as you heard, aquaplaning isn’t fun. A way to decrease the risk is to check your tyres before setting off.

The legal minimum requirement for tyre tread is 1.6mm, but we’d prefer it if you didn’t let it get down to the wire. Safety experts recommend that your tyres have a minimum of 2.5mm of tread for tough wintery and wet conditions.

Keep your bonnet closed if you break down

Rainy days and breakdowns go hand in hand – just ask the RAC for their statistics.

If you do end up stuck in a downpour, keep that bonnet shut tight (or at least don’t leave it open for too long).

Why?

Because your car’s electrical bits aren’t big fans of getting drenched (neither are we).

Less water = fewer headaches

Be considerate

We always promote kinder driving here at Carparison and that has never been more important when driving in wet weather.

Driving speeds will be slower as fellow road users take extra caution.

We know you will, but it is important to have empathy with those around you.