Driving in the rain presents its own challenges: reduced grip, poorer visibility and hidden hazards. With the right preparation and technique, you can handle wet weather driving in Cambridge confidently. Here’s how to stay safe on those soggy streets.
1. Vehicle Check Before You Set Off
- Tyre Tread & Pressure: Ensure 3 mm+ tread and correct PSI—shallow tread greatly increases aquaplaning risk.
- Windscreen & Wipers: Replace worn wiper blades and top up screenwash to keep vision clear.
- Lights & Indicators: Check headlights, tail-lights and indicators are working and free of condensation.
2. Adjust Speed & Following Distance
- Slow Down: Wet roads can double your stopping distance. Reduce speed by at least 10 mph in heavy rain.
- Increase Gap: Maintain a four-second gap behind the vehicle ahead—count “one-thousand one… one-thousand four” past a fixed point.
3. Master Your Lights & Wipers
- Dipped Headlights: Use them whenever visibility drops below 100 m—Cambridge’s tree-lined roads can get very dark in a downpour.
- Fog Lights (Rear Only): Switch on rear fog lamps in torrential rain to help drivers behind you see you.
- Wiper Speed: Match wiper sweep to rain intensity—too fast can smear, too slow impairs visibility.
4. Avoid Aquaplaning
- Steady Throttle: If you feel the car “lift” on standing water, ease off the accelerator gently—don’t brake or steer suddenly.
- Know the Puddles: Cambridge hotspots include the downhill stretch on Madingley Road and the hollow near the Science Park roundabout.
- Use Higher Gears: In a manual, select a higher gear than usual to reduce wheel spin.
5. Plan Your Route
- Bypass Flood-Prone Areas: Avoid low-lying roads like certain sections of Histon Road when heavily flooded.
- Stick to Main Routes: The A14 slip-roads and Milton Road are better drained than some narrow side streets.
- Check Live Traffic: Use apps to spot road closures or heavy spray areas before you leave.
6. Practice in Safe Conditions
- Quiet Car Parks: Before tackling busier roads, rehearse smooth acceleration, braking and steering in an empty car park.
- One-Skill Sessions: Dedicate a short lesson to just controlling the car in wet conditions—mirror-signal-manoeuvre at slow speeds.
💧 Ready to master wet-weather driving in Cambridge? Book your next lesson today and turn rainy-day challenges into driving confidence!