How deep is too deep to drive through water?

As a rule, avoid water deeper than the bottom of your car door, and never drive through if you cannot see the road surface or judge the depth. Water reaching the air intake can pull into the engine and cause expensive damage that insurance may not fully cover.

Why do my windows fog up during the monsoon and how do I clear them?

Fogging happens because warm, humid cabin air meets the cooler glass. Turn on the air conditioning along with the demister, which dries the air and clears the windscreen quickly, and use the rear defogger for the back glass.

Should I use hazard lights while driving in heavy rain?

No. Hazard lights are meant for a stationary or broken-down vehicle, and using them while moving confuses drivers behind about whether you are turning. In heavy rain, switch on your low-beam headlights instead so others can see you clearly.

🚗 Automobile

Monsoon Driving Tips for Safer Indian Roads

Practical monsoon driving advice for Indian roads — handle waterlogging, skids and poor visibility, and prep your car before the rains.

Tarang Mishra ·17 Apr 2026 ·4 min read

Monsoon Driving Tips for Safer Indian Roads

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The monsoon transforms Indian roads into a different challenge overnight — slick surfaces, flooded stretches, blinding spray and visibility that drops to a few metres. Most rain-season accidents are not caused by the weather itself but by drivers carrying their dry-day habits into wet conditions. A few adjustments to your car and your driving make the season far safer.

Get the car ready before the first heavy rain

Monsoon safety begins before you even start the engine. A quick pre-season check prevents the most common rainy-day failures.

The pre-monsoon checklist

Wiper blades: Replace any that streak, chatter or leave a film. Worn blades are useless exactly when you need a clear view. Good blades cost a few hundred rupees and are pure safety.
Tyres: Bald tyres cannot clear water and will aquaplane. Confirm the tread is healthy and the pressure is correct — slightly worn tyres are dangerous in the wet.
Lights: Check headlights, tail lights, brake lights and indicators. Clean cloudy headlamp covers so the beam actually reaches the road.
Brakes: Spongy or squealing brakes need attention now; stopping distances already grow on wet roads.
Demister and AC: Make sure both work, because you will rely on them to keep the glass clear.
Door and boot drains: Clear the small drain holes so rainwater does not pool inside the cabin or boot.

Driving on wet roads

Wet tarmac offers a fraction of the grip of a dry surface, and the first rain after a dry spell is the most slippery of all as oil and dust float to the top.

Slow down and leave more space

Cut your speed. Everything — braking, steering, reacting — takes longer in the wet.
Double your following distance. The usual gap is not enough when stopping distances grow.
Brake gently and early. Sudden braking is the quickest way to lose control on a slick road.
Steer and accelerate smoothly. Jerky inputs upset the car's grip.

Handle aquaplaning calmly

Monsoon Driving Tips for Safer Indian Roads

Aquaplaning is when a film of water lifts your tyres off the road and the steering suddenly feels light and unresponsive. If it happens:

Do not brake hard and do not yank the steering.
Ease off the accelerator and hold the wheel straight.
Let the car slow naturally until the tyres regain contact, then steer gently.