With the unusually mild weather recently, motorists have had to deal with wet weather on the roads.
The dreary winter rain has been pouring incessantly in some places and whilst this might not pose as much of a driving problem as snow, it can still be useful to know how to drive in wet conditions.
Here are some top tips for driving in the rain safely;
Slow down
It takes longer to stop in wet weather so it would be advisable to slow down when driving on wet roads. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front and add more stopping time during particularly wet weather. The last thing you want to do is aquaplane!
Keep your distance
As a result of being unable to stop with your usual speed, you may want to keep your distance when driving. Most driving manuals will suggest that you should have a minimum of at least two seconds of space between you in the car in front in normal conditions. This needs to be doubled in wet conditions.
Turn on your lights
Whether it’s light rain or heavy rain, your visibility is likely to be greatly reduced. It might be advisable to turn your lights on for your own safety and for the safety of others on the road. It is important to note that whilst you may be able to see other drivers, they might not be able to see you. By turning on your lights, other drivers should be able to see you from a safe distance.
Check your tyres?
Have you got enough grip to handle a serious skidding incident? You should check your tyres on a regular basis as bald tyres can significantly reduce your traction on wet surfaces. When your tyres are running on a wet road, the water is compressed between the treads and if the tyres are bald the water has no place to go. In the UK, the legal tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Flood water
If you have to drive through a large puddle, drive slowly and carefully at all times. Floodwater can be very difficult to manage, as you cannot see the water hazards that might be lurking beneath.
As a general rule, if the water level is deeper than the bottom of your car doors or the third bottom of your wheels it would not be advisable to drive through it. Don’t forget to test your breaks before and after going through deep water.
Breakdown cover could be extremely useful, and provide you with peace of mind when travelling in bad weather conditions.
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