Winter 2008

Wet Winter Driving’s Snow Fun... but here’s how to drive safely!

The evidence is all around. British winters seem to be getting greyer, technically warmer and most definitely wetter, so we need to take extra care when driving.

As a rule of thumb, car breakdown service Autonational Rescue recommends the use of headlights whenever it’s raining.

Slow down at the first sign of rain. Many roads become very slippery when rain first mixes with road dirt and oil, because together they form a greasy film on the road’s surface.

Says Autonational Rescue:

In all sorts of rain, or slushy winter snow, you can prevent accidents by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch.

If a road is slippery, your tyres lose traction and in heavy rain a car can easily aquaplane.

Aquaplaning results from a combination of conditions, wet surfaces and speed, and means your tyres are literally riding on a layer of water and have lost all contact with the road.

“If you feel your vehicle is starting to do this, you’re driving far too fast for the road conditions”, says Ronan Hart, Autonational’s marketing manager.

“Ease off the accelerator until your car slows and you can ‘feel’ the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. But if your car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action.

“A good defensive driver adjusts their speed to the wet road conditions in time to avoid having to use any of these measures!”

Here are some topical safety tips from Autonational for driving in rain, fog or icy road conditions:

• IN THE WET: Be careful of wet leaves on the road. They can be as slippery as ice.
• CHECK THEM OUT: Make sure your tyres, window wipers, and window demisters are in good condition.
• IT’S OK TO BE DIPPY: In heavy rain and fog, use your dipped headlights to reduce glare and only use fog lights when it actually is foggy!
• ROADSIDE GUIDE: If it is hard to see the pavement or signposts, slow down and look for road-edge markings to guide you.
• PUDDLE WATCH: Avoid driving through puddles, because wet brakes won’t work properly. If you drive through a large puddle, apply your brakes lightly as soon as you can safely do so, to dry them until you feel them working normally again.
• WEARING THIN: In icy road conditions, slipping and sliding to a halt with locked wheels from just 30 mph can wipe an amazing two months worth of normal wear off your tyres! So it is much better to leave lots of room – more than you think you’ll need – between you and the vehicle in front, especially in wet or snowy road conditions. Most of all, don’t be a tailgater!
• WATCH OUT – KIDS ABOUT: When you need to, one of the best ways to warn children on the road of your approach on a dark night is a repeated tap-tap on the horn. A loud blast can be ignored and often goes “over their heads”.
• CLOSE TO HOME: Most car accidents happen literally close to home. So please, don’t let familiarity breed contempt. Concentrate, especially at night, because one day there really will be something there at the end of your street or driveway!
• UNDER THE WEATHER: Even a minor cold or headache can slow your reactions when driving. So if you are feeling as under the weather as the weather itself, ask yourself whether you’re really fit enough to drive?

Autonational Rescue is the car breakdown service with the no claims bonus, for more information visit www.autonational.co.uk or call 08459 100 345.

Ends

Autonational photo gallery
Get other images related to this release

Autonational photo gallery
Get a cartoon related to this release

Issued by: CPR Works Ltd
Contact: Roger Eversley/Jenny Carr
Tel: 01902 680068
E-mail: info@cpr.co.uk
Web: www.cpr.co.uk