3 Mistakes motorists make while driving in the rain

Updated April 8, 2026, 7:59 a.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

There is more to driving in wet conditions than turning on your headlights and windscreen wipers.

Bakkie driving in flood water — File photo: iStock

Do you change how you drive when it rains?

KwaZulu-Natal was recently hit by heavy rain and strong winds, which damaged roads, vehicles, and infrastructure.

A rare Midlands tornado struck the community of Bishopstowe, which the South African Weather Service (SAWS) described as short-lived and stayed in one area.

"The curved landscape likely helped the storm rotate and even produce small hail. Soon after, stronger storms moved in from the west, increasing wind, moisture, and instability. This created the perfect setup for a brief tornado between 17:20 and 17:40."

Rainy weather is not uncommon at this time of year, but SAWS previously warned that several provinces should brace for above-average autumn rainfall.

ECR Newswatch reported in March that "coastal provinces along the eastern seaboard, including KwaZulu-Natal, should prepare for a wetter-than-usual season in the coming months".

With more rain on the cards, motorists need to be extra safe on the roads to avoid accidents.

Here are a few mistakes people make while driving in the rain.

Crossing low-lying bridges

Many motorists underestimate the danger of crossing low-lying bridges, mostly because the water appears shallow. Others do so because they see a car ahead of them doing it successfully, while many just want to get home and ignore the danger.

However, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) warns that you should not cross low-lying bridges in wet conditions, "even if you think your car can make it".

We have seen countless online videos of motorists, especially those driving bakkies, attempting to cross flooded roads and bridges with disastrous results.

Ignoring safe following distance

One of the first things they teach you in driving schools is to always maintain a safe following distance. However, as people become more confident behind the wheel, they tend to ignore this basic rule.

Keeping a safe following distance helps ensure you have enough time to react if the vehicle ahead suddenly stops or the flow of traffic slows unexpectedly. This helps prevent accidents.

Safe following distance is especially important in wet weather, with Arrive Alive recommending motorists "increase the three- second rule to 5-6 seconds to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you".

Due to wet roads, it will take longer to stop, as tyre traction is reduced.

Not adjusting speed

Speeding on any day is bad, but it becomes even more dangerous in wet conditions, including light rainfall. Even driving over a small puddle can result in hydroplaning.

Another mistake some motorists make is failing to adjust their speed to road conditions, regardless of the speed limit.

"Just because a road is marked at 120km, doesn’t mean it is safe to travel at this speed in all conditions," the AASA says on its website.