How to drive in wet conditions in Bulgaria?

Here are our expert tips for driving in heavy rain:

1. Slow down: The most important thing to do when driving in heavy rain is to slow down. Wet roads reduce traction, so you must reduce your speed to give yourself more time to react to any hazards.
2. Turn on your headlights: Use your headlights to increase your visibility to other drivers.
3. Use your windshield wipers: Keep your windshield wipers on to help clear rainwater from your windshield. Avoid driving fast through puddles close to pedestrians or cyclists, as this could create a spray that temporarily reduces visibility for others. Additionally, be aware of spray from lorries and other fast-moving vehicles, as it could reduce visibility. It’s essential to be considerate about your actions and their potential impact on others.
4. Keep a safe distance: Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you to give yourself more time to react to any hazards.
5. Do not use the cruise control function: It’s best to avoid using cruise control in heavy rain, as it can cause your tires to lose traction.
6. Don’t drive through floodwaters: If you come across a flooded road, it’s best to turn around and find an alternative route. Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear, and driving through them can be dangerous. Flooded roads can mask potholes and uneven surfaces.
7. Use lower gears when driving up hills: When driving up a hill, use a lower gear to help your tires maintain traction.
8. Hydroplaning and how to avoid it: Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water on the road surface separates the tires from the road, causing the vehicle to lose traction and skid. Here are some tips to avoid hydroplaning:

• Slow down: The faster you drive, the more likely you are to hydroplane. Try to reduce your speed, especially in heavy rain.
• Use low gears: When driving up a hill, use a lower gear to help your tires maintain traction.
• Avoid puddles: If you can’t avoid driving through a puddle, try to drive through it at an angle to minimize the amount of water your tires are driving through.
• Keep your tires properly inflated: Properly inflated tires are less likely to hydroplane. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended pressure.
• Avoid sudden movements: If you start to hydroplane, do not brake suddenly or make sudden steering movements. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and carefully steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go.
• What to do when hydroplaning happens: If you experience a loss of control, such as the steering feeling light, remove your foot from the accelerator and allow your speed to decrease. Do not use the brakes intensely until you regain control of your car. Once you regain control, gently pressing the brake pedal can help to create friction and heat, which can evaporate any remaining moisture on the brakes.