Is It Safe to Use Cruise Control in the Rain?

Cruise control is a valuable tool for long distance drivers, offering comfort and fuel efficiency. But when the skies open and the roads become slick, many motorists wonder: is it still safe to use cruise control in the rain? It’s a valid concern and one that touches directly on the relationship between driver assistance technology and unpredictable weather conditions.

In this article, we’ll unpack the mechanics of cruise control, explore how it interacts with wet road surfaces, and examine what the data says about its safety during rainfall. The aim? To help you make an informed and responsible decision next time you’re faced with a rainy drive on the motorway.

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What Cruise Control Does And Doesn’t Do

Cruise control is a system designed to maintain a constant speed without the driver needing to press the accelerator. Some modern vehicles also feature adaptive cruise control, which can adjust your speed to maintain a safe following distance.

While these technologies reduce fatigue and support fuel efficient driving, they are not designed to replace the driver’s judgement particularly in adverse conditions. Traditional cruise control systems are often binary in their operation: they maintain speed regardless of the terrain, surface grip, or weather.

The Problem with Rain: Reduced Traction & Hydroplaning

Wet roads dramatically reduce tyre grip, increase stopping distances, and raise the risk of hydroplaning (also called aquaplaning). Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the road surface and your tyres, causing a loss of traction that can result in a total loss of steering and braking control.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), wet weather can increase stopping distances by up to double. The Highway Code recommends at least a four second gap in the rain, compared to two seconds in dry conditions.

Now here’s the crucial part: if your cruise control is active when hydroplaning occurs, the system may interpret the sudden drop in traction as a reduction in speed and respond by increasing throttle which is precisely the opposite of what’s needed.

Expert Advice: Don't Use Cruise Control in the Rain

Nearly all safety experts including those from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart) recommend disabling cruise control when it’s raining. Manual control allows the driver to respond quickly and adjust throttle input based on real time feedback from the road surface.

Additionally, cruise control systems don’t typically offer nuanced modulation of speed based on micro adjustments in grip. This limitation becomes critical during rain, where small variations in water accumulation and surface irregularities can significantly affect tyre traction.

The Adaptive Cruise Control Exception?

Some newer vehicles are equipped with adaptive cruise control with weather detection or traction control integration. These systems may, in theory, better handle wet conditions but even then, manufacturers often include a rain warning or automatic disengagement of cruise control in severe weather.

For example, Volvo’s Pilot Assist system automatically limits functionality in poor weather, while other systems may prompt the driver to resume manual control when road conditions are detected as unsafe.

Still, experts caution against over reliance on these features.

No automation currently replaces the attentiveness and split second judgement of a human driver in the rain.

Real World Risk: Data Backed Caution

In a 2022 report by the UK Department for Transport (DfT), weather related road accidents accounted for over 20% of all serious incidents, with rain cited as the most common environmental factor. While specific crash data involving cruise control is limited, the risk compounds when wet conditions are combined with automated speed management.

Furthermore, a 2021 study by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) found that driver overconfidence in automation during poor weather contributed to reduced attention spans and slower reaction times.

Best Practices for Driving in the Rain

Whether or not you’re using cruise control, driving in wet weather requires extra care. Here are some smart, safety minded steps to follow:

• Turn off cruise control when the road is wet. Manual speed control allows you to adjust throttle with more precision.

• Increase your following distance to allow for longer stopping times.

• Slow down gradually sudden braking or acceleration can trigger a skid.

• Check tyre tread depth regularly. UK law requires a minimum depth of 1.6mm, but 3mm is recommended for optimal wet grip.

• Use headlights to improve visibility and ensure you're seen by others.

• Avoid standing water where possible, especially at higher speeds.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Cruise control is a brilliant convenience for long, dry motorway drives. But when it rains, safety trumps ease. The risks of reduced traction, delayed driver reaction, and system misinterpretation of road conditions are too high to ignore.

Until autonomous systems can reliably interpret and respond to rain soaked roads the way a human can, it’s best to switch off cruise control, stay alert, and drive with caution. In wet weather, the smartest tool in your car is still you.

Elliot Sharp

Vehicle Safety & Insights Analyst, Smart Driving Column