Australian roads can shift from dry and manageable to dangerously slick within minutes. Whether you’re caught in a sudden summer downpour or navigating persistent winter drizzle, understanding wet weather driving safety tips is essential for every driver. Each year, thousands of motorists across the country are involved in rain-related accidents that proper preparation and technique could have prevented.
At National Cover, we process claims daily that stem from wet weather incidents. While our team is always ready to support you when things go wrong, we’d much rather help you avoid accidents altogether. As motor insurance specialists, we understand the real costs, both financial and personal, that come with collisions on rain-soaked Aussie roads.
The good news? Most wet weather accidents are preventable. With the right knowledge, vehicle preparation, and driving adjustments, you can significantly reduce your risk. Below, we’ve outlined five practical tips to help you stay in control, maintain visibility, and reach your destination safely when the heavens open.
1. Know your cover and have an incident plan
Before rain even starts falling, you need to understand your insurance position and have a clear strategy for responding to incidents. Many Australian drivers only discover gaps in their coverage after they’ve already lodged a claim. Checking your policy details now, when roads are dry and you can think clearly, gives you confidence and removes uncertainty when wet conditions arrive.
Why it matters in heavy rain
Rain-related incidents happen suddenly and often involve multiple vehicles. You might find yourself dealing with reduced visibility, slippery surfaces, and stressed drivers all at once. Having a clear plan means you can focus on safety rather than scrambling to remember what your policy covers or what steps to take. Insurance disputes become far more likely when you haven’t documented the scene properly or contacted the right parties.
What to check in your car insurance before you drive
Pull out your policy document and confirm your excess amount, coverage type (comprehensive or third party), and any specific exclusions related to flood or storm damage. Check whether your insurer provides emergency roadside assistance and save their claims hotline number in your phone. Verify that your policy is current and that you’ve declared any recent modifications to your vehicle.
Understanding your coverage before you need it turns a stressful accident into a manageable process.
What to do at the scene if you crash in wet weather
Stay calm and move your vehicle to safety if possible, activating hazard lights immediately. Take photos of all vehicles, road conditions, and any pooling water or debris that contributed to the incident. Exchange details with other drivers and note down witness contact information. Never admit fault, even if you believe you were responsible.
What to do if you suspect flood damage
Contact your insurer immediately if your vehicle has been submerged or exposed to rising water. Don’t attempt to start the engine, as this can cause severe mechanical damage and potentially void your claim. Document the water line on your vehicle with photos and note the time and location of the flooding.
2. Keep your tyres and brakes ready for wet roads
Your tyres are the only contact point between your vehicle and the road surface. When that surface is slick with rain and road oils, your safety depends entirely on four small patches of rubber maintaining grip. Worn tyres, incorrect pressure, and poor driving technique all combine to create dangerous conditions that can send you skidding across multiple lanes.
Why tyre grip matters more in the wet
Water creates a thin barrier between your tyres and the road, reducing friction by up to 75 per cent compared to dry conditions. Your tread depth determines how effectively water channels away from the contact patch, and shallow treads simply can’t clear water fast enough at normal speeds.
What to check on tyres before the trip
Inspect your tread depth using the 20-cent coin test (insert the coin into grooves; if you can see the platypus bill, replace the tyre). Check tyre pressure when cold, as under-inflated tyres increase aquaplaning risk. Look for uneven wear patterns, cracks, or bulges that signal replacement time.
How to drive to protect traction and braking
Reduce your speed by at least 10 to 20 km/h below the posted limit on wet roads. Brake earlier and more gently than usual, and avoid sudden steering inputs that can break traction. Accelerate smoothly to prevent wheel spin that wastes grip.
Gentle inputs preserve the limited grip available on wet surfaces.
Common tyre mistakes that raise aquaplaning risk
Mixing different tread patterns across axles creates unpredictable handling, while running budget tyres with poor wet-weather compounds extends stopping distances dramatically. Ignoring rotation schedules leads to uneven wear that channels water poorly.
3. Maximise visibility with lights, wipers and demisting
Poor visibility causes more wet weather accidents than any other factor. When rain and spray obscure your view or make it difficult for others to spot your vehicle, you’re gambling with your safety every time you accelerate or change lanes. These essential wet weather driving safety tips focus on ensuring you can see clearly and that other drivers can see you, even when conditions deteriorate rapidly.
Why "see and be seen" prevents wet-weather crashes
Heavy rain creates a double visibility problem. Your windscreen becomes harder to see through, while spray from other vehicles reduces how far you can see ahead. Simultaneously, other drivers struggle to notice your vehicle through the murk, particularly during late afternoon storms when natural light drops away.
How to set your lights for rain and spray
Switch your headlights to low beam whenever you activate your wipers, even during daylight hours. Avoid high beam in heavy rain, as the light reflects off water droplets and creates a blinding wall directly in front of you. Turn on your rear fog lights only in severely reduced visibility, as they can dazzle following drivers in moderate rain.
Your lights make you visible to others, not just the road visible to you.
How to keep your windscreen clear in humidity
Direct your air conditioning onto the windscreen and set it to fresh air mode rather than recirculation. Cold air removes moisture more effectively than heat alone, so combine cooling with defrost settings. Keep your windscreen washer reservoir topped up with quality cleaning fluid that cuts through road film.
Quick fixes for smeary wipers and fogged windows
Replace wiper blades annually or whenever they leave streaks or judder across the glass. Clean your windscreen inside and out before wet weather arrives, as invisible film causes persistent smearing. Crack your windows slightly to equalise air pressure and reduce internal fogging during sustained rain.
4. Slow down and increase your following distance
Speed becomes dangerous when rain transforms roads into slippery hazards. The most fundamental of all wet weather driving safety tips centres on reducing speed and creating buffer space around your vehicle. Your reaction time stays constant, but your car’s ability to stop deteriorates dramatically when water reduces grip.
Why stopping distances blow out on wet surfaces
Physics works against you on wet surfaces. Your braking distance can double or triple compared to dry conditions, depending on tyre condition and rainfall intensity. Factor in your reaction distance (the space you cover while recognising danger), and you need substantially more room to avoid collisions.
How to adjust speed and spacing on Aussie roads
Reduce your speed by 10 to 20 km/h below posted limits when rain arrives. Increase your following distance to at least four seconds behind vehicles ahead, using roadside markers to measure gaps accurately.
Space gives you time to react when drivers ahead lose control.
How to brake, steer and accelerate without upsetting grip
Apply brakes progressively rather than stamping them, starting much earlier than usual. Steer smoothly, avoiding sudden inputs that break traction. When accelerating, use gentle throttle pressure to prevent wheel spin that wastes precious grip.
When to pull over and wait out the worst of it
Heavy downpours reduce visibility to near zero. If your wipers struggle to clear the windscreen or you can’t see lane markings, activate your hazard lights and pull safely off the road. Wait fifteen minutes for the worst cells to pass rather than crawling blindly.
5. Avoid puddles, aquaplaning and floodwater
Water on roads presents dangers far beyond simply getting wet. Even shallow puddles can hide deep potholes or mask flooded drains that swallow wheels, while deeper water can flood your engine or sweep your vehicle downstream. These final wet weather driving safety tips focus on recognising water hazards and responding appropriately when you encounter them.
Why standing and running water can trap drivers
Your vehicle begins to float and lose traction in as little as 15 centimetres of flowing water, while 60 centimetres can carry most cars downstream. Floodwater conceals hazards like washed-out road surfaces, submerged debris, and live electrical lines. Engine intakes sit low on modern vehicles, meaning water ingestion can destroy your motor within seconds.
How to spot high-risk water hazards early
Watch for flowing water across roads, particularly at creek crossings and low-lying areas. Observe other vehicles; if they create large bow waves or struggle through puddles, the water is too deep. Dark patches on bitumen often indicate standing water that increases aquaplaning risk.
What to do if you aquaplane or skid
Lift off the throttle gently and avoid braking or steering until your tyres regain contact with the road surface. Keep your steering pointed in the direction you want to travel, resisting the urge to overcorrect when grip returns.
Water hazards demand respect, not courage.
When to turn around instead of pushing through
Never drive through water if you cannot see the road surface beneath it or if depth markers indicate dangerous levels. Turn back when you see road closed signs, as authorities place them based on genuine hazards that threaten your safety.
Quick recap before you head out
Applying these wet weather driving safety tips transforms how you handle rain-soaked Australian roads. Check your insurance coverage and plan your response to incidents before they happen. Maintain your tyres and brakes to preserve the grip you need on slippery surfaces. Use lights, wipers, and demisting systems to ensure you can see clearly and others can spot your vehicle. Reduce your speed and following distance to account for extended stopping distances, and recognise when conditions demand pulling over completely.
Water hazards require immediate respect. Avoid puddles and floodwater that conceal dangers and can trap or sweep your vehicle away. These precautions work together to dramatically reduce your accident risk during wet weather.
Your vehicle represents a significant investment that deserves proper protection on every journey. If you’re reviewing your motor insurance options or want coverage that matches your driving needs, compare quotes at National Cover and discover how competitive rates combine with comprehensive protection. Drive safely, stay alert, and remember that arriving late beats not arriving at all.
