So, after a long spell of hot and dry weather, rain has finally arrived. And, if the forecasts are anything to go by, here in the UK, we’re in for some fairly big storms, which means a return to wet and potentially dangerous, driving conditions.
In this short blog, we’ve listed 4 wet weather driving mistakes that many drivers make, and which could and do, cause a danger to you, your passengers, and other road users.
Driving too fast
Driving too fast at any time is never a good idea, and in most cases, it is dangerous, illegal, and likely to lead to a heavy fine, if you’re lucky. But, when you drive too fast in wet conditions the dangers multiply, due to two key factors, which are:
- Visibility is reduced: Whether it’s rain, sleet or snow, the amount you can see from inside your vehicle is seriously reduced. As a result, the faster you drive the less time you have to recognise and respond to hazards.
- Braking distances increase: According to the RAC, in wet weather, braking distances for regular driving are doubled. One of the main reasons for this is the phenomenon of aquaplaning, where your car is literally riding across the surface of the water on the road.
Not checking tyres
The tyres of your vehicle are one of the most important safety features, especially in wet conditions. With this in mind, it’s vital you check:
- Your tyre tread depth: In the UK the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm for cars and light trailers and vans, although most driving organisations recommend changing your tyres well before the tread is anywhere near this low.
- Your tyre pressure: Checking your tyre pressure isn’t only vital for your safety, particularly in wet driving conditions, it also helps you save on fuel and prolong the life of your tyres. Find out the recommended tyre pressures for your vehicle in the vehicle handbook or by contacting a car tyre specialist.
Not using dipped headlights
If the sky darkens and rain begins to fall, many drivers mistakenly turn their headlights to full beam. This practice is wrong for two main reasons:
- Full beams don’t improve visibility in this situation: In fact, full beams can reduce your visibility, as the light simply reflects back at you off the water and water vapour in the air.
- Full beams cause glare for other drivers: In any driving conditions you want other drivers to see your vehicle as quickly as possible, but, if your lights are on full beam, just because it’s raining, that split-second glare could have catastrophic consequences.
Not listening for traffic updates
Wet weather can lead to flooding, icy or foggy roads, and an increase in accidents. So avoid driving in these conditions if possible and when driving, especially on longer journeys, in wet or icy conditions, listen closer and take any relevant action to traffic updates. This will not only help you stay safe but also help you save time and fuel.
Stadium MK garage
Located next to Stadium MK, Quality Car Service is one of Milton Keynes leading car servicing and MOT specialists, providing various car servicing packages, advanced diagnostic checks, TerraClean decarbonising, new tyres and tyre fitting, plus a range of other services designed to help keep your vehicle running at its best.
