High winds and heavy rain shouldn’t be a surprise at this time of year — but they always seem to catch motorists out. if you’re hiring a van you need to take extra care, as the risks are greater, especially in high winds.

Driving in heavy rain and high winds isn’t much fun at the best of time, but it’s even harder if you are driving an unfamiliar rental van. You will find that the van is more susceptible to being blown around by the wind (especially if it’s empty) than your car, and you may not be completely familiar with the controls for windscreen wipers and ventilation — a recipe for disaster if you are on a motorway or main road.

These tips from the Institute of Advanced Motorists apply to all drivers but are especially relevant to drivers of rented vans — so take a quick look:

• Before you set off, set your heater controls – rain makes the windows mist up in seconds. You don’t want to be fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road.
• Slow down. In the rain your stopping distance should be at least doubled. Giving yourself more space helps you to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle.
• Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly – harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the van.
• Strong winds can also unsettle your car and even change your direction of travel. Grip your steering wheel firmly and be aware of the effects of the elements on other road users, particularly motorcyclists and flat-sided vehicles.
• If you have cruise control, avoid using it on wet roads – it may create problems if you start to aquaplane.
• See and be seen. Put your lights on – as a rule of thumb, whenever you need to use your wipers you should also turn your headlights on, and before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting.

In cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If it is unavoidable, and you have to drive through deep water, the IAM recommends drivers take the following precautions:

• Drive on the highest section of the road and don’t set off if a vehicle is approaching you
• Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians
• If you can’t see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it
• In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator, as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe
• Once you’re out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking nothing is following you too closely.

Remember, it’s better to arrive late than not at all…