Tips for driving in the rain

With the arrival of the rainy season, drivers need to be a little more aware of the roads and make considerations that they wouldn’t normally make in the summer. To ensure some peace of mind, we’ve written a useful guide for tips and considerations when driving this Autumn and Winter.

Be prepared

The steps you take today can reduce the risks later on. So even before you’re encountering rai,n there are a few things you should add to your checklist:

Check your windscreen wipers often – Your windscreen wipers are crucial for clear visibility and should be replaced every six to twelve months, depending on the use and quality of the blade. Look out for signs of wear such as streaking, skipping, or cracking rubber. Wipers should fit snugly to your windscreen, and neglecting maintenance could lead to damage or even an MOT failure.

Check your tyre tread each month – Maintaining your tyre tread is crucial, especially in wet conditions. The grooves in your tyres are designed to effectively disperse water, which significantly reduces the risk of aquaplaning and improves your braking performance. As your tyre wears down, this ability is diminished, making driving on roads more hazardous, even when dry. You may also face a £10,000 fine if pulled over, which we go into more depth about in our Drivers may be risking a £10,000 fine by not checking their tread depth blog

Plan before you travel – Check traffic and leave earlier if necessary, as heavy rain can increase accident risk and travel times on the road.

Give extra space

This tip can really help all year-round, but especially when the road is wet. During heavy rainfall, visibility is reduced, and there is a greater chance of driver error in the rain. Your tyres will double their braking distance, which increases the risks of aquaplaning. Always leave additional room between you and the vehicle ahead. This extra space will allow you enough time to react and slow down smoothly if they brake suddenly or encounter unforeseen hazards, minimising the risk of skidding.

Drive with care

Heavy rain presents significant challenges due to reduced visibility and control of your vehicle, and strong winds during storms can affect steering. It’s crucial to remain aware in these conditions. Maintain a stable speed, avoiding any sudden speed changes or erratic steering. This should help avoid losing traction and allow other drivers ample time to react to anything unexpected.

How to recover from aquaplaning

Aquaplaning occurs when your tyres lose contact with the road due to excess water, which makes steering and braking difficult.

If you encounter aquaplaning:

• Slow down: Lift your foot off the accelerator, and allow your car to naturally slow down
• Avoid any hard braking, try to steer straight: Slamming on the brakes may put your car into a skid. This goes for any fast movements as well.
• Relax: Wait until your tyres have regained traction, which you should feel in the steering, try not to rush off, but also be aware of drivers around you.

Be aware of large puddles

When driving in the rain, especially in rural areas, large puddles can form and linger. Be sure to approach them slowly and maintain a steady speed when traversing, being cautious of the depth and if possible, safely try to go around them. Afterwards, you should test your brakes, which may initially feel spongy, and allow the water to clear from your vehicle to regain full traction and control.

Be prepared for the changeover with Alltoura 4-season tyres

For confident driving in all seasons, the Alltoura 4-seasons tyre is an ideal choice. Its intelligent sipe design effectively clears water, significantly reducing the risk of aquaplaning and maintaining stability even in heavy rain. Furthermore, with its three-peak mountain certification, Alltoura provides reliable performance throughout winter and into summer, offering year-round peace of mind.

Davanti is tested for the wet

Davanti Tyres are rigorously tested for performance and safety across all seasons and weather conditions. Our comprehensive testing includes wet braking, wet handling, and aquaplaning recovery. Explore our range page to discover the ideal Davanti tyre for your needs, whether you require all-season, all-terrain, summer, or winter tyres.

Have some questions? Reach out to us with our contact form. You can also learn more about Davanti and our range on our news or product pages.