Motorists should prepare for driving in downpours
Posted by Richard Sinclair
Motorists should make sure they are prepared for driving in heavy downpours like those seen across the UK yesterday (June 8th).
This is according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), which offered a number of tips on how to drive as safely as possible when the roads are wet.
"Rain after a long period of dry weather makes the road surface extremely slippery. A combination of oil, loose gravel and dried rubber all make conditions more dangerous," said Simon Elstow, head of training at IAM Drive & Survive.
He recommends checking tyres regularly to ensure they have an ample amount of tread.
Mr Elstow also advised replacing worn windscreen wiper blades, as these do not cope well when it starts to rain.
Earlier this month, the IAM advised motorists to take at least a 15-minute break after driving for two hours, as driver fatigue is a major factor in many road accidents.
Driving through rain is hard; the best tip is to not tailgate since the wet roads will increase braking distance. Plus you don’t want to get caught in the “splash” of the vehicle in front of you which will make it impossible to see.