Drivers risk £50 fine if caught without 1 thing in the rain

Britain's sunny and dry spell has come to an abrupt end this month, with yellow weather warnings replacing blue skies. The Met Office has forecast humid, blustery, and wet conditions until Sunday.

So, drivers have been urged to check one thing before driving in the rain to avoid a £50 fine. If the piece of equipment that's particularly important during winter is damaged, drivers could also be handed three points, warned Tim Rodie, resident driving expert at Motorpoint. He urged motorists to check their windscreen wipers are working before heading out this month.

He said: "With summer well and truly behind us, it's a good idea to check your car and make sure it's ready for more adverse weather conditions. This includes checking that your wipers and headlights are working correctly.

"You might not have used your windscreen wipers too much in recent months, so it's worth making sure that they work without smearing or squeaking. If you experience either, it's a sign that they're worn down and need replacing.

"If you are caught driving without working wipers, you could be fined £50 and get three points on your licence - so it's important to check before setting off in periods of bad weather."

The Met Office advice states that it is safer to avoid driving under rain warning conditions, however, anyone who needs to be on the road should ensure they take the necessary steps to keep themselves and other road users safe.

It advised drivers to slow down, use main roads and use dipped headlights. Motorists should also keep a larger gap between vehicles and give themselves sufficient time to stop.

Mr Rodie recommended leaving 12 car lengths when you travel at 30mph.

He said: "During periods of heavy rain, your stopping distance can be up to double what you're used to - so you'll need to leave yourself plenty of space to stop.

"That means, if you're driving at 30mph, you should give yourself at least 12 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front.

"Windy weather can also cause additional hazards, so it's a good idea to go a little slower than you would normally to give you more time to react and stop."

For more advice on driving in heavy rain and floods, you can visit Motorpoint or the Met Office.