With thunderstorms expected to hit England and Wales, experts have urged motorists to adapt their driving accordingly to cope with the changing conditions.
The AA warned 'extreme caution is advised' as roads could become 'hazardous' due to flooding as storms are predicted across large parts on the country this week.
Here's its top tips for coping with a sudden downpour.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for today (Thursday 1 August) from South East England to the North West. Flood alerts have also been raised for some areas where more than 60mm of rain is predicted to fall in a two-to-three-hour window.
As such, motorists need to adjust their behaviour behind the wheel if they are caught in a monumental downpour.
The Highway Code says stopping distances in wet weather are 'at least double' compared with dry conditions as tyres have less grip on the road.
It recommends that drivers should keep 'well back from the vehicle in front' and take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.
If steering becomes unresponsive – likely because water is preventing tyres from gripping the road – motorists are advised to ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
AA patrol of the year Chris Wood said: 'If you must travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles.
'Allow extra time, as it's likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge.
'In a thunderstorm, water can quickly run off the road, causing flash flooding.
'It only takes one incident to cause long tailbacks, so keep tuned to local traffic reports and reduce your speed as appropriate for the conditions.
'Never risk driving through floodwater and if you find yourself aquaplaning, ease off the accelerator to slow down gently.'
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson added: 'Sudden downpours have the potential to quickly make the roads far more dangerous places – a fact illustrated by official figures that show an average of 1,660 people are killed or seriously injured every year as a result of bad weather making roads slippery.
'In 2022 alone, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 53 such fatalities.
'Our patrols are also expecting a 75 per cent rise in calls from drivers whose vehicles become ditched or bogged due to intense rainfall.'