Are you prepared for the driving rain?

Driving rain. You see what we did there?

Final winter was the wettest on record. Components of the UK have been flooded with more than 500mm of rain, and if recent downpours are anything to go by, we could be in for more of the identical over the coming months.

If October’s higher winds and driving rain have taken you totally by surprise, you have possibly not given much believed to generating sure your automobile can cope with the conditions – a position nearly 3 quarters (73%) of UK motorists could locate themselves in, according to the outcomes of a TyreSafe survey.

The survey of over 1,000 motorists also identified just more than a quarter (27%) had checked their tyre tread depth in the last month, which is the maximum period advisable in between checks, whilst nearly a single-in-5 (19%) have never checked their tyre tread depth.

Tread very carefully

UK law stipulates auto tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm – you can measure this by putting a 20p coin in your tyre tread, if the outer rim is obscured, your tyres are legal – yet much more than a quarter (27%) questioned by TyreSafe believed it was less than this.

If your vehicle tyres do not have adequate tread depth you may possibly not be in a position to accelerate, brake or turn correctly, which leads to increased stopping distances – at 70mph you’ll need to have more than 600ft in the wet, the length of virtually 2 football pitches – and there’ll be a higher risk of aquaplaning.

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Tyred and emotional

Last year, illegal, defective or underinflated tyres have been the trigger of 968 casualties in the UK, although practically 3 million cars failed their MoT due to tyre issues.

And there’s no excuse to not get your tyres checked out as this month is Tyre Safety Month, meaning you can get a free tyre wellness check from tyre retailers across the UK.

Driving in rain

Once your tyres are up to speed you then need to make positive your driving is by adapting to the weather and road conditions, so right here are some best tips to keep protected on wet roads:

• Maintain effectively back from the vehicle in front as this will give you a higher stopping distance and enable you to see much more of the road ahead, providing you early sight of any upcoming hazards

• UK law states you need to use your headlights when visibility is lowered to the point you cannot see further than 100m ahead. If visibility is specifically undesirable, you can also use your rear fog lights, remembering to turn them off when visibility boost.

• If you find yourself aquaplaning your brakes will be of small use and steering will be unresponsive, so take your foot off the accelerator to slow down


• If you really feel the vehicle behind you is acquiring too close, specifically if spray from autos is decreasing visibility, sensible use of hazard lights can warn them to back off.

Elevated rainfall brings with it an elevated danger of flooding, so if you’re worried about driving via flood water, study Mark’s report Drivers get winter flood warning.

Are you prepared for the driving rain?