No matter where you live in Australia, there comes a point throughout the year when driving in torrential rainfall is inevitable. Roads can get slippery, the view from the driver’s seat can become impaired and road debris can become a serious issue.

The absolute, most important tip to remember when driving in the rain is to drive slower, I can not stress this enough. Driving slower in wet conditions significantly reduces the risk of an accident, as you’ll have more time to react to any situation that may arise.

With that said, here’s 5 more things to remember when driving in wet conditions.

Wait it out!

This one might be a little self-explanatory, but if you don’t feel confident driving in the wet weather, just wait it out. The best way to stay safe on wet-roads is to avoid them, you can’t crash if you aren’t driving.

Turn on your headlights

Flicking on your headlights will increase visibility for you and those around you, helping you spot other drivers, and helping other drivers spot you. This can also help encourage other drivers to do the same, making it a safer journey for all travellers on the road.

Safe parking is happy parking

If possible, park in an undercover carpark (but lookout for flooding). Parking undercover drastically minimises the risk of your car getting damaged by weather-effected debris such as fallen branches. If parking undercover isn’t an option, try and avoid any tall trees or power poles, as severe storms and wind could cause trees and powerlines to break or fall down, putting you and your vehicle in danger.

Don’t forget to turn on your windscreen wipers

I know what you’re thinking, ‘who forgets to turn on their windscreen wipers when it’s raining?’ and that is a very good point. The reason why I’ve included this tip is because many drivers aren’t aware of when their wipers are damaged or have reached the end of their lifespan, which is usually around the 12 month mark.

Next time you hop in your car on a wet day, check and see if your wipers leave any streaks along the windshield or miss any spots on their way through, if either of these occur, it’s probably time for a replacement.

Double-check your tyres

Driving around on old tyres can be extremely dangerous, especially when driving in the wet. The older that a tyre gets, the more risk there is of internal damage to the tyre, which could result in it blowing out while you’re driving! Here’s what you should do if your tyre blows out.

Make sure you regularly check the tread on your tyres, most tyres contain a little block sitting in the tread that acts as a wear indicator. If the block matches the level of the tread on the tyre, it’s probably time for a new set.

Properly inflated tyres will prolong the life of your tyres, keeping you safer on the road, especially in the wet. Check your owner’s manual to learn the ideal air pressure for your vehicle’s tyres.

Tyre and wheel insurance provides cover for motor vehicle tyre punctures and wheel damage that are not caused by an accident. eric will repair tyres and wheels that are damaged by blowouts and road debris, making it a must-have for someone who has to drive in wet weather.

For more tips and tricks to help you with your motoring adventures, visit us at ericinsurance.com.au.