The weather in the winter can cause all sorts of dangerous driving conditions for motorists, and it is particularly important to be aware of how to drive safely in different weather conditions at this time of the year.
We have had lots of storms over the autumn and winter this year, and this has created challenging conditions on roads all over Britain.
Heavy rain and flooding have been in the headlines a lot, and if you are planning to drive when there is a lot of flooding around, you should be aware of how to do this safely.
Make sure that you are familiar with the highway code, what various signs and vehicle markings like these chapter 8 chevrons www.pvluk.com/chapter-8-chevrons mean and that your car is in good condition – regularly maintain the car and check that essentials like brakes are working and that tyres are in good condition.
When you are driving in heavy rain, visibility is going to be reduced, so reducing your speed is a sensible thing to do.
Make sure that you have your windscreen wipers on at the highest setting to try and keep your windscreen as clear as possible and also use your lights when it is really heavy to ensure that you are visible to other road users.
Rain of course then leads to flooding and driving through floodwater is not just something that can destroy your vehicle (as has been seen in the popular Rufford Ford videos online) but is also something that can be very dangerous, as you can be washed away even in relatively shallow water.
Be aware of both the maximum wading depth of your vehicle and also the depth of the water that you are going to be driving through. Often water on the road can be misleading and what looks like a puddle can turn out to be deeper, so you should always check the depth and if in any doubt at all find another route.
If you do decide you can go through the water, wait until other vehicles that are coming towards you have passed and also keep your speed low, but don’t stop in the water. Once you have got through to the other side, you should also check your brakes when it is safe to do so by pressing them a couple of times. This also helps to dry them out and ensures that they are working properly.
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