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How to stay safe and avoid damage while driving in the wet

Following a few simple tips should get you to work on time, keep you dry and out of trouble.

You’ve heard it before, from the government, from insurers and concerned mothers: “Don’t drive in the rain.” It’s not very constructive advice, let’s be honest.

Say you need to get to work, but the rain is torrential and you know it’s a 15 minute walk to the nearest bus or train stop.  The car keys beckon.

This would be the choice made by most of us, with a report by the ARRB group finding most Australians would rather sit in traffic than catch a train.

It’s understandable given that Sydney has one of the worst public transport systems in the world in terms of reliability and efficiency, and a 2014 PwC study suggests it’s also the most expensive next to London.

So why would you deflect umbrellas in the close quarters of a bus or train if you can just hop in the car instead?

Ingested water can cause instant engine failure which could write off your car.

If you must drive in the rain, here are our top driving tips to get you to work on time, keep you dry and out of trouble.

Scope out your route

Wet weather significantly increases the risk of a car accident, or as per Murphy’s Law, a breakdown. That’s why it’s important to scope out your route first.

Thankfully all of Australia’s state governments offer live traffic reports and cameras to help you decide whether it’s even worth getting in the car in the first place. You might end up waiting an extra 30 minutes for a train, but it’s arguably better than spending an hour and a half in gridlock waiting for an accident to clear.

Below are live traffic reports for each state. It’s probably a good idea to bookmark yours.

Adjust your driving to the conditions

So you’ve established that the traffic is tolerable, and you’ve chosen to drive. The number one piece of advice is obvious - It’s wet so you’ll have less grip. 

There’s more to it than meets the eye though. You see, various road surfaces trap oil and debris in dry conditions, which is brought to the surface by rain. This can make even the most innocent of turns or braking manoeuvres very dangerous. 

A loss of traction can often be felt by the steering shuddering. If this happens, remain calm, point the steering wheel where you want to go and keep your inputs nice and smooth. Unless you’re Craig Lowndes, there’s a good chance you’ll lose control or spin if you make sudden adjustments. 

If in doubt, just jump on the brakes and hold your foot steady until you regain control. Most cars have anti-lock brakes these days, which work best if you simply stomp on them and hold that pressure.

Steer clear of those large puddles

It may be tempting to drive through large puddles, which may look fun right? Beware though; large bodies of water can contain many hidden hazards like giant potholes or hidden debris that can knock your steering out of alignment or cause serious damage.

These will be the least of your worries though considering the kind of permanent, non-obvious and expensive damage water can do to a car. 

If your car is floating, it goes without saying that the water will determine where you end up.

Sudden cooling of hot engine parts and brakes can cause catastrophic cracks and failure.

Air intakes and electrical components can also be surprisingly low, and ingested water can cause instant engine failure which could write off your car. (it might be worth checking the wading depth on your vehicle.)

Your car may seem to work fine straight after being inundated, but electrical gremlins can appear later on that can compromise safety systems or even be enough for a write-off.

Steer even further clear of any moving body of water

This is true regardless of what you drive, from hatchbacks to large 4x4s. A recent study at the University of New South Wales showed that, even though cars today are well sealed to keep water out, this has made them incredibly buoyant. A Toyota Yaris was moved by water only 15cm deep! 

If your car is floating, it goes without saying that the water will determine where you end up. Moving bodies of water can be deadly and people are killed or stranded every year by driving into them. Needless to say, if you find your path blocked by running water, it’s probably worth telling your boss you’re going to be late.

Have you ever had an issue with driving in the rain? Tell us your experience in the comments below.

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