Highways England has this advice for driving in heavy rain

According to Highways England, people are 30 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads in rain than in snow.

Heavy rain and storms are forecast today, Saturday, from 10am. It follows earlier storms in the week, with readers capturing stunning pictures of lightning. 

The figures also reveal that travelling too fast for the current conditions was identified as a factor in one in nine road deaths in Great Britain last year, with drivers failing to alter how they drive in response to changing conditions on the road.

Highways England also advises that even driving within the speed limit in wet weather could be dangerous if drivers don’t allow extra space between themselves and the vehicle in front.

Motorists are also urged to carry out checks on their vehicles, including tyres, engine oil, lights and fuel levels, particularly before setting out on journeys in hazardous conditions.

Highways England Chief Executive, Jim O’Sullivan, said: “I want all drivers to arrive at their destinations safely during the summer holidays. We are urging motorists to make sure they are ready to go on their journeys by checking their fuel, tyres and oil. With a few simple checks everyone will be safer.”

The government has more detailed information on carrying out vehicle checks.

Drivers can get up-to-the-minute travel information by phoning the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the website

The chief forecaster's assessment from The Met Office reads: "Heavy showers will affect many parts through today.

"Some of these showers will be thundery and quite prolonged, though not on a scale of that experienced earlier this week.

"Whilst most places will miss the very heaviest showers, locally 15 mm of rain may fall in an hour and very locally 30 mm rain could fall in two or three hours. Today's showers will then slowly start to fade away this evening. Lightning could be an additional hazard."