As many prepare to travel this evening, we’re taking a look at the UK National Highways agency’s advice for travelling when it’s raining.
“Rain can affect your ability to see ahead or be seen by others,” the agency warns.
“It can also affect your vehicle’s performance and responsiveness.”
Before you travel, it recommends you:
- Plan your route
- Check the availability of service areas along your route
- Make sure you know how to operate your headlights and fog lights
- Check your vehicle
- Pack a seasonal kit
- Check the weather forecast. If heavy downpours are expected, consider delaying your journey until it clears
- During periods of extreme weather, adjust when you travel to avoid the worst days and times of day if possible
- Check traffic conditions on the National Highways website and on Twitter
When you’re on the road, it advises:
- If it’s time for your wipers, it’s time to slow down
- Use dipped headlights, especially if visibility is seriously reduced
- The roads will be more slippery than usual, so give yourself more time to react – increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front to at least four seconds
- Look out for standing water – adjust your driving before and after encountering any
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times – spray from other vehicles can suddenly reduce your visibility
- Visibility affects others too, so anticipate their actions and be prepared
- During thunderstorms, sudden gusty winds can unsettle vehicles. Keep your speed down and give other road users more room
The RAC called on drivers to take “extreme care” and avoid driving through water deeper than 10cm.
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