Rain, fog, ice and wind

By the end of this topic you can

• You can clear the windscreen and windows fully before setting off.
• You can increase your following gap to suit rain, ice, snow or fog.
• You can use dipped headlights and fog lights correctly.
• You can drive smoothly to avoid skids on slippery roads.
• You can allow for side winds and give vulnerable road users extra room.

What you need to know and understand

• In the wet, keep at least a four-second gap instead of two.
• On snow and ice, stopping distances can be many times longer than on a dry road, so leave a much bigger gap.
• Use dipped headlights in heavy rain, dense fog and falling snow.
• Fog lights are only for dense fog or falling snow. Switch them off when visibility improves.
• Main beam headlights make fog worse, because the light reflects back at you.
• Black ice is hard to see. Be most careful on shaded roads, bridges and in the early morning.
• You must still be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Rain and spray

• Slow down and double your gap to at least four seconds.
• Use dipped headlights so others can see you through spray.
• Watch for standing water, especially at the edge of the road and in dips. Slow down before you reach it.
• Give cyclists and pedestrians extra room, and avoid splashing them.
• After driving through deep water, test your brakes gently once it is safe.

Fog

Fog hides hazards and makes it hard to judge speed. Use dipped headlights, and use fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced. Main beam bounces back off fog and makes it worse. Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see, and do not hang on to the tail lights of the car in front, because it gives a false sense of safety.

At junctions in fog, open your window to listen for traffic, and pull out only when you are sure it is clear. Switch fog lights off as soon as the fog clears, or they will dazzle other drivers.

Ice, snow and wind

On ice or snow, everything must be gentle: gentle on the accelerator, gentle on the brakes and gentle with the steering. Move off in a higher gear if your instructor has shown you how, to reduce wheelspin, and brake early and lightly. Clear all snow from the windows, lights and roof before you set off.

Strong wind can push the car sideways, especially on exposed roads, bridges and when passing gaps between buildings. Keep a firm grip on the wheel, slow down, and give cyclists, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles extra space, because they can be blown into your path.

Common mistakes

• Driving at the speed limit in heavy rain. The limit is a maximum for good conditions.
• Leaving fog lights on after the fog clears. They dazzle others.
• Setting off with only a small hole cleared in an iced windscreen. Clear all the glass.
• Braking hard on a slippery road. Brake early and gently.
• Passing cyclists closely in a crosswind. Give them extra room.

Test yourself: Rain, fog, ice and wind

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.