With such long periods of dry between the rain, it would be timely to brush up on some basic wet-weather driving tips.
Not only are we not used to wet roads, they have been unwashed for so long that a heap of oil and other slippery muck leaches from the bitumen when it does rain.
So, with the help of the NRMA, here’s a handful of tips to help bring back to memory what adjustments are needed for a safe trip in the wet.
Slow down: Grip is reduced greatly in the rain, particularly if it hasn’t rained for a while. Everything you do should be slowed down, especially cornering and accelerating.
Brake early: It takes a lot longer to slow down on a wet and slippery road. Don’t brake harder in the wet — just brake earlier.
Increase the gap: In dry weather, maintain a two- or three-second gap between you and the car in front. In rain, double it so the gap is between four and six seconds.
Don’t believe your eyes: Approach puddles with great caution. They may look shallow, but hollows can be deceptively deep when covered with water across the road.
After going through a deep patch of water, lightly touch the brake pedal while driving to help dry out the brakes in case you need them quickly.
Steady as she goes: Generally speaking, a smooth driver is a good driver — doubly so in the rain. So, try not to make sudden moves, be they braking, accelerating, cornering or steering.
Light up: It may sound obvious to switch on the headlights in the rain, but you need only look around you next time it’s falling from the sky to see how many unlit cars you see murkily through the haze.
Gadgets: Safety devices are great but are no substitute for good driving. ABS, for example, may help prevent a skid when braking, but it’s no use to anybody who takes a slippery corner too fast.