• Firstly, slow down! Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front.  Remember it can take twice the distance to stop in wet weather, so double your following distance from the vehicle in front.
• Driving in the wet isn’t just about leaving more space, though. You should also try and avoid sudden moves that might unbalance the car, such as sharp steering or braking; all of which increase the likelihood of your car skidding.
• Use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you more easily.  Remember, you mustn’t use your fog lamps unless the visibility is very poor – rear fog lamps will dazzle other road users, and the effect is intensified when there is spray coming out from the rear of the car. Front fog lamps have the same effect, but for cars ahead of you.The Highway Code says that you should only use your fog lamps when the visibility drops below 100m.
• 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.
• Listen out for local news bulletins to keep up-to-date with road closures, flooding and forecasts.
• If you break down in torrential rain keep the bonnet closed while waiting for help to arrive, to avoid the electrical system getting soaked.
• Driving fast through deep water can cause serious and expensive damage.
• Keep your distance from large trucks or buses. 
• Pull over if visibility is almost zero.
• Be considerate to other road users and try not to spray pedestrians and cyclists as you drive through water.
• If another driver is following you too closely or driving aggressively, don’t be tempted to react. It’s easier and safer to concentrate on your own driving, perhaps pulling over to let them go past if you’re able to, than to do something provocative that might cause them to crash into you.

You might have heard of the term ‘aquaplaning’. It refers to what happens when your car’s tyres encounter lots of water that’s standing on the road – more than they can clear.

The result is that the water builds up under the tyre, lifting it away from the road surface. Once it loses contact with the Tarmac, you’re effectively ‘surfing’ along on top of the water, with little or no grip.

You can usually tell if you’re aquaplaning because your steering will suddenly feel light and unresponsive. If it happens to you, resist the temptation to brake – doing so will almost certainly cause you to skid, which could have disastrous consequences.

Instead, you should stay as calm as you can, take your foot off the accelerator pedal gently, and allow the car to slow down by itself, while keeping the steering pointing in the direction of travel.

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) will be ineffective if your vehicle is aquaplaning.

Eventually, the tyres will bite down through the water and come back into contact with the road, at which point you should regain control.

If you break down in torrential rain, keep the bonnet closed while waiting for breakdown assistance, to avoid the electrical system getting soaked.

If your engine cuts out after driving through deep water, do not attempt to restart it, as engine damage may occur – instead, turn on the hazard lights, call for assistance and have the vehicle professionally examined.

Catastrophic flood-related engine damage is typically caused by water being sucked into the engine, which causes the engine to lock up and can in turn damage important engine components such as piston connecting rods and valves.

This inevitably means a new engine will have to be fitted, but what people generally don’t understand is that it is the owner who is likely to have to foot the expensive garage bill, unless they can demonstrate to their insurer – like in any accident – that it was not their actions that caused the damage.