Late summer storms: tips for driving in the rain

During the transition from the summer heat waves to the milder climate of early autumn, sudden downpours are very common and extremely dangerous for drivers. How should you behave when driving in heavy rain and on wet roads?

To avoid the many hazards that the road hides, it is useful to follow some practical tips on driving in the rain:

• Pay close attention to the wheel: turn off all distractions, such as cell phones and radios, and focus exclusively on driving. Always keep one hand on the wheel. While concentrating on the road, glance behind the vehicle in the rearview mirror and to the sides so that you have a 360-degree view of what is happening and can prevent any hazards;
• Headlights on: in Italy, and in many countries, it is mandatory to turn on low beams even during the day and when it is not raining. However, in rainy conditions, make sure they are on even in broad daylight. This will make it easier to see what is ahead and be more visible to others, preventing accidents;
• Maintain an adequate safety distance: you never know what other road users are going to do or what might happen to you! In rainy conditions, the safety distance should be increased, doubling or tripling the normal distance due to reduced friction on wet roads and limited visibility;
• Respect speed limits: in case of rain, the speed limit on all Italian highways drops from 130 km/h to 110 km/h to better prevent the dangers caused by driving in adverse weather conditions;
• Beware of aquaplanning: this phenomenon occurs when a “water cushion” is created, which causes the contact between the tires and the asphalt to be lost, and traction is significantly reduced. As there is no longer friction between the two surfaces, due to the “buoyancy” that is created, there is no ability to make the vehicle slow down or change direction, which remains only subject to the rules of physics. The greater the thickness of the water and the speed of the vehicle, the more the effect is amplified, compromising road holding;
• Watch your brakes: always remember that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum brakes greatly decrease stopping power, so avoid hard braking;
• Extra caution driving at night: motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars may be camouflaged by the glint of raindrops on the side windows and rearview mirrors. Visibility may be reduced, so maximum concentration on the road and the vehicles driving on it.

Before setting off, always remember to:

• check the condition of your front and rear windshield wiper blades: if they are worn, replace them immediately;
• check the tread depth of your tires: for summer or all-season tires, the tread should be at least 3 mm deep, while for winter tires it should be 4 mm deep;
• keep your air conditioning system efficient: in the event of a sudden drop in temperature, this can prevent condensation from forming on the windows.

SAFETY