WITH a month’s worth of heavy rain falling today and another wet week ahead, if you’re in a car over the next few days you’ll be making full use of your windscreen wipers.

If you have to hit the road, we have dug out some tips from the RAC for driving in heavy rain and flooded roads.

n Check that your windscreen wiper blades are fully functional.

n The Highway Code states that stopping distances will be at least double in wet weather, because your tyres will have less grip on the road.

n Use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you more easily

n Don’t use rear fog lights. They can mask your brake lights and dazzle drivers behind you

n Look out for large or fast-moving vehicles creating spray which reduces visibility

Also remember to keep your air conditioning on as this will stop your windows from misting up

What to do if there’s a large puddle in the road:

nDriving too fast through standing water could lead to tyres losing contact with the road.

nIf your steering suddenly feels light you could be aquaplaning.

nTo regain grip, ease off the accelerator, do not brake and allow your speed to reduce until you gain full control of the steering again

What to do if the road has flooded

The RAC suggests you should ‘size up the water first’ – if you suspect it’s too deep, or you can’t be sure, always find another way to your destination.

A spokesman added: “Modern vehicles’ door seals are good and keep water out, but this can make a car buoyant, meaning it could begin to float if the water gets too deep leaving you stranded.

“Once you’ve confirmed you can drive through the puddle, keep your vehicle in a low gear , second is generally adequate, and engine revs up. This will help you maintain momentum when you travel through the puddle, creating a bow wave so you don’t get bogged down.

“Once you exit the other side – and especially if the puddle is on the deep side – pause for a moment if you can to let any excess water drain away and flow back to where it came from.

“It’s always worthwhile gently brushing your brake pedal on exit, creating some friction and therefore heat to evaporate off any excess moisture.” The spokesman added: “A windscreen cleaned with shaving foam will be less likely to mist up.

“It’s a little trick ice hockey players use to stop their face masks from steaming up.”