How to Drive Safely in a Storm: A Practical Guide for Irish Roads

Storms in Ireland can arrive fast, turning a routine drive into a test of focus. Heavy rain reduces visibility, gusty winds push your car off line, and flooded roads can catch even experienced drivers out. This guide walks you through what to do before you set off, how to adapt your driving during a storm, and how to recover if things get slippery or unsafe.

If you’re learning to drive or returning to the road after a break, these steps are practical and beginner-friendly. For hands-on, local experience, Epic Driving School offers lessons that reflect Irish weather and road types, from country lanes to busy city routes.

Who This Is For

• Learner drivers preparing for the EDT course and the driving test.
• Recent licence holders who want to build confidence in poor weather.
• Drivers returning to the road after a gap and refreshing skills.
• Anyone commuting regularly on motorways, regional roads, or rural routes.

Before You Drive: Preparation Steps

Good preparation turns a stressful trip into a manageable one. Check the forecast, your route, and your car, then decide if travel is essential.

1. Check the weather and traffic: Look at Met Éireann alerts and local traffic updates. If a Status Yellow or Red warning is in place, consider delaying or rescheduling your journey.
2. Plan a safer route: Stick to main roads when possible. Avoid known flood hotspots and low-lying areas that often collect water. Allow extra time—don’t rush.
3. Do a quick car check:
   • Tyres: Adequate tread depth (minimum 1.6mm) and correct pressure.
   • Wipers: Clean screens and ensure blades clear water without smearing.
   • Lights: Headlights, brake lights, and fog lights all working.
   • Demisters: Heater and airflow clear the windows quickly.
   • Fluids: Washer fluid topped up with rain-repellent mix if you use it.
4. Kit check: Phone charged, cable in the car, and an offline map saved. Pack a high-vis jacket, a torch, and a basic emergency kit if travelling long distances or through rural areas.
5. Decision time: If visibility is poor, roads are flooding, or winds are severe, postpone. In an emergency, delay until it’s safe to travel.

What to Expect During a Storm

Storms can throw several challenges at you at once. Here’s what drivers commonly face on Irish roads:

• Standing water and aquaplaning: Deep puddles can cause the steering to feel light. If this happens, ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel steady—don’t brake sharply.
• Reduced visibility: Heavy rain or spray from HGVs can limit what you see. Drop speed and increase following distance.
• Wind gusts: Exposed bridges, open coastal routes, and high-sided vehicles are most affected. Keep a firm grip on the wheel and anticipate sudden pulls.
• Fallen debris: Branches and other debris can appear quickly. Scan ahead and be ready to slow or change lane safely.
• Headlights and fog lights: Dipped headlights help others see you; use front fog lights in heavy spray (but switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling others).

Step-by-Step: Driving in a Storm

1. Set off smoothly: Use dipped headlights and demist the windows fully before moving. Keep wipers on a suitable speed.
2. Slow down early: Reduce speed before bends, hills, and junctions. On motorways, move into a middle lane if it’s safer, but avoid lane-hopping.
3. Increase following distance: In dry conditions, two seconds is a good rule. In rain, aim for four seconds or more to give you extra reaction time.
4. Grip the wheel firmly: Both hands at 10 and 2 (or 9 and 3) give better control during gusts or when hitting standing water.
5. Brake gently and early: Smooth braking keeps the car stable. If you have ABS, it will help you maintain steering; press firmly and steadily rather than jabbing.
6. Avoid standing water: If you can’t avoid it, reduce speed before you reach it, then hold a straight line with a light throttle. Never drive through water deeper than the kerb edge or if you can’t see the road surface.
7. Cornering and hills: Keep speeds low on bends. On steep or slippery hills, change to a lower gear early to control speed and avoid wheel spin.
8. Be cautious at junctions: Stop earlier, scan carefully, and give extra time to emerge. Watch for cyclists and pedestrians obscured by spray.
9. Use roundabouts carefully: Maintain a steady speed, keep left, and signal in good time. Watch for crosswinds as you exit.
10. If visibility collapses: Consider stopping in a safe place (a petrol station or car park). Never stop on the hard shoulder unless it’s a genuine emergency.

Common Mistakes in Poor Weather

• Overdriving visibility: Going too fast for what you can see. Slow down so you can always stop within the distance you can see is clear.
• Harsh braking or steering: Sudden inputs unsettle the car in wet conditions. Smooth is safe.
• Incorrect lights: Using main beam in fog or heavy rain reduces visibility for everyone. Use dipped headlights and front fog lights only when needed.
• Following too closely: Tailgating leaves no room for error. Increase your gap in poor weather.
• Forgetting demisting: Clear windows before moving off. A fogged windscreen is a major hazard.
• Ignoring warning signs: Flood warnings and road closures exist for a reason. If a road looks impassable, don’t risk it.

Manual vs Automatic: What to Know in a Storm

Both manual and automatic cars can be driven safely in storms. The key difference is how you manage speed and traction.

Aspect	Manual	Automatic
Control over gears	Lower gear on hills/slippery surfaces for better control	Auto adjusts; use sport/low mode or select gear manually if available
Clutch control	Smooth clutch use prevents jerky starts on wet roads	No clutch; focus on gentle throttle application
Braking	Engine braking helps manage speed downhill	Brake earlier; avoid riding the brakes
Stress factor	More to manage in heavy traffic or hills	Less mechanical coordination needed
Visibility focus	More mental bandwidth for scanning and hazards	Can focus more on road awareness

Why Choose Epic Driving School

Epic Driving School is a fully insured and approved driving tuition provider, with a focus on clear communication and practical, real-world skills. Instructors provide patient, structured lessons tailored to each learner’s needs. The school offers an RSA-approved Essential Driver Training (EDT) logbook service and pre-test lessons, helping learners prepare for the driving test in a calm, supportive environment.

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• EDT lessons overview (lesson page) – anchor text: “Essential Driver Training (EDT)”
• Pre-test lessons (lesson page) – anchor text: “pre-test lessons”
• Manual vs automatic lessons (service page) – anchor text: “manual or automatic driving lessons”
• Lesson pricing or packages (page) – anchor text: “driving lesson prices”
• Instructor profiles (page) – anchor text: “local, experienced instructors”
• Book lessons (contact/booking page) – anchor text: “book a lesson”
• FAQs (page) – anchor text: “frequently asked questions”
• Testimonials (page) – anchor text: “what our learners say”

FAQ

Do I need to cancel my driving lesson if there’s a storm?

It depends on the severity. In heavy rain or high winds, your instructor may reschedule for safety. If conditions are manageable, lessons often go ahead with extra focus on low-speed control and visibility. Always check with your instructor.

Can I take my EDT in an automatic car?

Yes. If you complete your EDT and take your test in an automatic, your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles. If you plan to drive manuals, train in a manual car. Discuss your goals with your instructor to choose the right option.

What are the minimum tyre tread and legal requirements?

The legal minimum tread depth in Ireland is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. In wet weather, more tread helps disperse water and reduces aquaplaning risk. Keep tyres at the recommended pressure and check them regularly.

Which lights should I use in heavy rain or fog?

Use dipped headlights so other road users can see you. Front fog lights can be used in heavy spray or fog, but switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers. Never use main beam in fog or heavy rain.

How do I handle aquaplaning?

If you feel the steering go light, ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel straight. Avoid sudden braking or steering. As speed reduces, the tyres should regain grip. Keep your eyes up and look where you want to go.

What should I do if a road is flooded?

Don’t drive through water if you can’t see the road surface or if it’s above the kerb edge. Turn around or find an alternative route. Even shallow water can hide potholes or debris, and fast-moving water can destabilise your car.

How can pre-test lessons help with bad weather?

Pre-test lessons focus on route familiarity, test manoeuvres, and handling pressure. In poor weather, instructors practice hazard awareness, speed control, and visibility management—key areas for the test and real-world driving.

Is engine braking useful in the rain?

Yes. Using a lower gear when going downhill helps control speed without overheating or overusing the brakes. Always brake gently and early, and combine engine braking with smooth deceleration.

What’s the safest way to use wipers and demisters?

Set wipers to clear effectively without smearing. Demist windows fully before moving off; use the heater and air-con to reduce interior moisture. Keep the inside of the windscreen clean to prevent fogging.

Final Checks and Call to Action

Before heading out, run through a quick mental checklist: weather, route, lights, wipers, tyres, demisting, and visibility. If any risk feels high, delay. Your safety comes first.

If you’re learning to drive or want to refresh your skills for Irish weather, Epic Driving School can help. Book lessons with a local instructor who understands road types, test routes, and real-world conditions.

Ready to build confidence in all weathers? Book a lesson with Epic Driving School today and practice driving safely—rain or shine.