Bad weather: rain, fog, snow and wind

Driving in the rain

Rain reduces both visibility and grip. From the very first drops, the road becomes slippery as water mixes with oil and dust residues. On a wet road, tyre grip is halved, which doubles the braking distance. Three essential reflexes: slow down, increase safety distances and never brake sharply.

Aquaplaning occurs when the tyre treads can no longer channel the water away: the vehicle then slides on a film of water with no control whatsoever. The risk is higher at high speed, with worn tyres, and on wide, flat roads such as motorways. To avoid it, reduce your speed and regularly check the condition of your tyres.

Driving in fog

Fog is a veil of suspended water droplets that considerably reduces visibility. Accidents caused by fog are often fatal because vehicles collide in chain reactions without being able to see obstacles in time. Overtaking is prohibited on two-way roads.

Guide yourself using the white lines on the right edge of the road to maintain your course. You must use dipped headlights, which you may supplement or replace with front fog lights. Unlike in rain, you may and should use rear fog lights in fog.

Driving on snow and ice

Snow makes the road extremely slippery and black ice is even more treacherous because it is often invisible. Black ice forms especially when the temperature drops to 0°C or below, particularly in forests, on bridges and near watercourses. Even a cleared road often remains slippery.

The right reflexes on snow or ice: reduce your speed by half, anticipate braking, brake very gently with no sudden steering movements, and greatly increase your safety distances. If the vehicle starts to slide, do not brake: slow down gradually using engine braking.

For equipment, fit chains on at least the two drive wheels when a mandatory sign requires it. Always fit them on the drive wheels, otherwise they are useless. Snow tyres (3PMSF marking with the alpine symbol) are an effective alternative. Since November 2021, in certain mountainous areas defined by prefectoral order, you must either carry chains in the boot or be fitted with four winter tyres. Studded tyres are also permitted, but only from the Saturday before 11 November to the last Sunday in March, with a speed limit of 90 km/h.

Driving in strong wind

Side wind can blow your vehicle off course. The most dangerous moments are the transitions between sheltered and exposed areas: exiting tunnels or forests, finishing overtaking lorries, or sudden gusts.

In strong wind, slow down and hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Compensate for the wind's push by turning the wheel slightly in the opposite direction. Stay alert to other vehicles drifting and avoid staying alongside them, especially next to lorries which could be blown towards you during a gust.

Fighting condensation and maintaining good visibility

In damp weather, condensation quickly covers the windows. To combat it, activate the ventilation, air conditioning or heating, and use the rear window demister control. Regularly check the condition of your windscreen wipers (to be changed at least once a year, preferably before winter) and the washer fluid level. In winter, add antifreeze to the washer fluid reservoir.