Heavy rain forecast for Europe heightens aquaplaning risk for holiday motorists: safety tips shared by Danish Motorist Association

An unusually wet Saturday is expected, coinciding with many holiday motorists traveling to and from holiday homes or further along European motorways. The Road Directorate has made preparations to clear the drains, but with such large volumes of rain anticipated, it’s not possible to completely prevent water from accumulating on the roads. This makes the roads risky for aquaplaning, where vehicles lose grip due to wet conditions.

Søren Holten Jacobsen, a chief instructor at the Danish Motorist Association (FDM), explains how to prepare for a drive in heavy rain. Firstly, check the weather forecast and consider whether it is safe to drive, or if you should wait for a later time. If you are traveling to or from a summer vacation, it’s essential to set off early to allow for unexpected stops if the weather worsens.

Secondly, it’s important to check that the tread depth on your tires is sufficient before setting off. The legal requirement is a minimum of 1.6 millimeters for summer tires, but the FDM recommends at least three millimeters for the tires to grip the road effectively in rainy conditions. Also, ensure your tire pressure is correct.

Thirdly, ensure your lights are working correctly. In rainy weather, it often becomes so dark that there is a need to switch on the lights, as if driving at night. This means the low beam should be on at the front, and the tail lights should be on, says Jacobsen. Some cars do not automatically switch on lights in rainy weather, so it’s important to know how to do this manually.

Fourthly, ensure you have good visibility. If you have moist rain jackets in the car, the windows can quickly fog up. The best advice is to switch on the car’s air conditioning, which can quickly eliminate fog with its dry air.

Fifthly, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. You should also avoid driving into puddles when you don’t know their depth. If they are very deep, there is a risk that the car could stall.

Sixthly, if you are traveling with a caravan, be mindful of the wind. Caravans are particularly sensitive to wind. If strong wind gusts are expected, Jacobsen advises reconsidering whether to travel with your caravan.

Lastly, avoid aquaplaning, which can create very dangerous situations on the roads. This phenomenon occurs when cars or motorcycles lose grip with the road due to water and “float” on the water. If this happens, release the accelerator, be careful not to brake and steer the car in the right direction to avoid ending up in the ditch or into other traffic.