#Driving in heavy rain windows#

clear all windows using a scraper and de-icer – don’t drive off with a tiny hole cleared in the windscreen,.

check your fuel levels – keep at least a quarter of a tank in case you get stuck in traffic,.

plan your route to work - use the online gritting routes map - and make sure you have a road atlas in your car,.

give yourself an extra 10 minutes to de-ice your car,.

Preparing your car for driving in snow and ice can make all the difference.

be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may damage them.

These won't stop the path icing over as effectively as salt, but will provide good grip underfoot,

if you don't have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash.

you can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work,.

If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice - which is invisible and very slippery, You can then cover the path with salt before night time to stop it refreezing overnight,

if you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath.

It's easier to move fresh, loose snow than hard snow, so if possible, start removing the snow and ice early,

Video: Advice from inside the gritting depot.

We asked our gritting teams about driving safely in snow and icy conditions and they have given their advice on: To minimise the risks of aquaplaning in wet weather, ensure your tyres are in good condition and drive at a sensible speed.Despite our efforts to make roads safe during winter, icy or snowy weather can make venturing out on the county's roads a treacherous experience. If this happens to you, take your foot off the accelerator and don’t brake until you’ve regained control. It can be a scary experience and can easily lead to an accident. The immediate loss of traction can make your car slide – also known as fishtailing – and make your steering feel light. This is when water gets between your tyres and the road surface. Beware aquaplaningĭriving through puddles or floodwater can cause aquaplaning or hydroplaning, as its also known. Once you’ve driven through the water, and are back onto a flat section of road, then press your brakes gently to test them. Be careful to avoid any submerged objects, like branches, that could damage your car. If the water is passable, then keep your vehicle in a low gear and engine revs up as you drive through it. As well as potentially damaging your car, many vehicles require only two feet of water to float, according to road safety charity Brake. If the water appears to be too deep - or you can’t know for sure - then find an alternative route.

Don’t stop in standing water: if you think it’s shallow enough to drive through, first wait for any vehicles coming the other way to pass.

Never attempt to drive through fast-flowing water.

If a road is flooded, and you can’t tell how deep the water is, then don’t drive on it.

If the heavy rain is causing water to build up on the roads ahead, then drive with caution. It’s bad enough that they’re dealing with heavy rain, and you can also get landed with a fine.

If you can, avoid splashing pedestrians and cyclists.

However, you shouldn’t use your fog lights - road safety organisations warn they can mask your brake lights and dazzle other drivers.

#Driving in heavy rain drivers#

Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you more easily.Keeping your distance from other vehicles also helps to minimise the spray hitting your windscreen and obscuring your vision.

Leave more space than usual between your vehicle and the one in front, as in wet weather stopping distances double to four seconds.Reduce your speed, especially if there’s standing water on the road, as you could risk aquaplaning (see below).In wet conditions, you need to drive more carefully: Ensure your mobile phone is charged in case you break down or get stuck.

#Driving in heavy rain how to#

If needed, remind yourself how to use your air conditioning and heater, so you can demist your car’s interior without getting distracted while driving.

Check that your windscreen wipers and lights are working properly, your tyres are in good condition, and that you have enough fuel - especially as the bad conditions could make your journey longer.

Where possible, try and stick to main roads as they’re less likely to get flooded. Before setting outĪllow plenty of time for your journey to ensure that both you and your car are ready for the conditions ahead: If you have no choice but to get behind the wheel in wet weather, you should make sure you’re as prepared as possible. Driving in heavy rain and wet conditions can be both stressful and dangerous.Īs well as the constant spray from other cars, reduced visibility and longer stopping distances, there’s also the risk of encountering deep puddles or even flooded roads.