Added: 08 November 2018
Here in Wales, we’re not strangers to a spot of rain now and again! However, over the past few weeks, we’ve been experiencing unusually heavy rain and high winds. This type of weather can be challenging when you need to face it on a car journey. With this in mind, we’ve shared some top driving tips from safety experts, IAM RoadSmart...
Don’t forget the basics
First things first, make sure your windscreen is clean, your wipers are effective and the jets are positioned correctly, aiming at the screen. If you need windscreen wipers, then you will probably 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 switched on.
Recovering from aquaplaning
If there are puddles on the road surface, your car is at risk of aquaplaning. To recover from 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.
Driving through floods
If you come across a flood, ask yourself - can you take another route? If not, then you need to identify how deep the flood is. If the standing water is more than six inches deep, avoid driving through it. If you are familiar with the road, you can judge the flood in relation to the kerb.
If the water is fast flowing, do not attempt to drive through it, as there is a real danger of your car being swept off the road.
If you have taken everything into consideration and decide to drive through the flood, be sure to do so slowly. The best approach is to 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. This will prevent water from entering your exhaust. When you have passed the flood, test your brakes to make sure they are dry and working properly.
If you are in the slightest doubt, turn around and don’t go through the flood.
Don’t take any chances
To summarise, Richard Gladman, head of driver and rider standards at IAM RoadSmart, said, “Keeping your car maintained and the rubber (wipers and tyres) in good condition will help you stay safe. In the recent extremes, we have seen that standing water and floods are becoming more commonplace, so take extra care and if possible avoid driving through standing water. If you’re in any doubt about the depth or surface underneath a flood, then it’s best not to take any chances.”
If you’re unsure about the condition of your vehicle, here at Day’s we can definitely help. Whether you’d like to book in for a winter service, get an up to date MOT or just need new tyres to get you through the winter, our aftersales and servicing departments will get you on the road safely.
>> Click here to book a service at Day’s
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