Crucial Advice For Safer Driving in Heavy Rain…

Added: 13 March 2019

Storm Gareth has been causing havoc across the country this week. It is the latest in a string of storms to hit the British Isles, so it seems only sensible to offer some advice on how motorists can ensure they are as safe as possible on their journeys.

To help with this, IAm Roadsmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, has put together some crucial advice to help you drive safely in bad weather...

Heavy rain:

Before you set off on your journey, make sure your wipers are working effectively.
When you need windscreen wipers, you need your headlights. Automatic light settings will not always activate in bad weather conditions, so it is up to you to make a sensible decision as to whether these need to be turned on.
Remember that the braking distance between you and the vehicle ahead should be at least four seconds in wet weather.
If you find your vehicle aquaplaning, ease gently off your accelerator, have a firm grip of the steering wheel and be sure not to make any sudden steering actions. The car will eventually regain its grip as the water clears.

Floods:

If the standing water is more than six inches deep, avoid driving through it.
If the water is fast flowing, do not attempt to drive through it.
If you decide to drive through the flood, be sure to do so slowly. Press lightly on your clutch and add gentle pressure on your accelerator to increase your engine revs. Do so without increasing your speed, in a similar way to how you would undertake a hill start. If you are in an automatic car, accelerate slightly, but control the speed with your brakes.
When you have passed the flood, test your brakes to make sure they are dry and working properly.
Remember to stay alert and avoid splashing pedestrians. If this is done accidentally- even when causing splashed when driving through puddles at the side of the road - you could receive a fixed penalty and three points on your license for driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users. If deliberately done, it could be a public order offence, a court appearance and a fine.

At Day’s Motor Group, we hope these tips will help towards making your car journeys a little less stressful during stormy weather. To stay updated with our latest news and articles, make sure you follow us on social media...

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