Summer is officially here, but so are the thunderstorms, something which you might have noticed over the last week. Most prevalent in between May and August, storms bring rain, thunder and up to 64,000 lightning strikes (the highest ever recorded!).

With more storms set to come, Vehicle Contracts have pulled together their expert tips for driving safely in thunderstorms and what to do if you get caught in one.

Keith Hawes, Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, says:

1. If it’s stormy outside, stay inside

First and foremost, if it’s stormy outside and you’re safely inside, avoid driving. If you can afford to wait to drive until the storm has passed, then do. The old adage is right – it’s better to arrive safely than not at all. Summer storms often blow over as quickly as they start so you shouldn’t be waiting around for too long.

You may also want to consider investing in a good air conditioner for your home so that you do not feel the heat waves striking your body even when you are at home. Having an air conditioner installed or repaired could be a wise decision, especially during the summers. A well-conditioned home may provide you with a cooler and more comfortable environment. You might just need to contact a skilled worker for air conditioning installation Columbia MD, or elsewhere.

2. Prepare, prepare, prepare

The weather often catches people without much notice but the more prepared you can be for every eventuality, the better. Plus, ensuring your car is able to deal with all conditions is an important responsibility for any driver.

Start with the basics:

Check your windscreen wipers. Make sure they’re in working order and remember that they need to be replaced at least once a year to ensure maximum efficiency.

Make sure that your tyres have enough tread. By law you are expected to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, so ensure you have that as a minimum. Tread is there to disperse water in exactly these conditions, so this is important for maintaining control of your vehicle.

Check your heating. You may not have thought about it in a few months, but make sure your heater works. It’s not just to keep you warm in the winter, it also works to clear the mist from the inside of your car’s windows.

Don’t be caught out in torrential rain regretting that you neglected these simple wet weather solutions!

3. Be a defensive driver

Always good advice, but particularly relevant during stormy weather. Treat every car on the road with you as a potential hindrance. Inclement weather can see even the best drivers unexpectedly lose control of their vehicle. To avoid this, keep an extra firm grip on the wheel and be extra gentle with your breaks, suddenly braking is a sure way to slip off course.

In poor conditions it’s okay to drive under the speed limit. It’s not a target, it’s a maximum and if it’s too windy, slippery or you lose visibility safely pull over and wait for the worst to pass.

4. React fast, think lights

Even moderate rain can dramatically reduce visibility, so if you feel the need to put on your windscreen wipers then that’s an indication that you should be adjusting your entire driving style. You should slow down and turn on your headlights, even if it’s daylight, so that other drivers can see you. Make sure they’re dipped beams though, not your full beam fog lights or you could risk blinding other drivers.

5. You can see them, they can’t see you

Larger vehicles pose an increased risk when visibility decreases. Just because you might see them, doesn’t mean they’re able to see you. Be extra aware of the space around you, especially when near lorry’s or buses.

Remember the two second rule. In normal conditions, always keep a minimum of a two second time gap in front of your vehicles around you in order to create space in which to react in case of emergency. When the weather is bad, double it to four. The more space the better!

7. Avoid puddles or standing water on the road

Thunderstorms inevitably cause water to collect on the roads and can cause minor flooding even after a brief bout of bad weather. Avoid driving through any standing water as, although it may appear shallow, you have no idea how deep the water level could be or what condition the road underneath is in.

Driving through puddles also puts you at serious risk of aquaplaning. This is where water builds up between the tyre and the road beneath. This could result in your tyres losing traction and grip and you could find yourself unable to steer, brake or accelerate.

6. Don’t fear the lightning

You might worry about being trapped in your car during an electrical storm but don’t be tempted to pull up and get out if you’re on a main road or motorway. You’re actually safer inside your car than out of it, and not because of the rubber tyres like some people believe.

Electrical currents are carried on the outside of conducting objects, meaning if you’re stuck everything inside will be protected from the external electrical current. The car will act as a “Faraday cage”, named after an English scientist who first observed the effect in 1836, meaning you should be perfectly safe!