The weather over the last few months has been awful and with Autumn and Winter rolling in, I’m sure it is only going to get worse. The UK gets on average of 156 days of rainfall in UK [MET Office figures].
With that in mind many of us will be using our car more and more as let’s face it, no one wants to be heading out and getting their looking like a drowned rat!
However, are you making sure you are getting there safely? With so much rain here, it allows a surface layer of water to build up which increases the chance of ‘aquaplaning’ occurring when you are driving, in turn leading to an increased chance of potentially having an accident.
If you are unsure what aquaplaning is, the simple explanation is, it is a layer of water that builds up between your tyre and the road. Therefor you are gliding across the surface of the water rather than your tyres being on the road.
Make sure that you keep your car carefully maintained as much as possible. Replacing parts in your car might seem like a serious hassle but finding Vauxhall car parts that are high quality and at a reasonable price is a lot simpler than you might think.
Aquaplaning is caused from a combination of factors, firstly the surface water on the road. Then it is multiplied by the condition of the cars tyres and the speed that the car is traveling at.
I must admit that when I am out and about in the rain I am even more aware of what is going on around me and how I am driving, simply as the surface makes driving that little bit more difficult. However, it seems that not everyone is as cautious at times as I have seen lots of people still driving like they would in dry conditions!
So, what can you do to prevent it happening to you?
- Slow down – You need to adjust your driving to the conditions so if you need to, leave a bit earlier and allow a bit more time for your journey.
- Check your tyres – Make sure they have a good amount of tread in the tyre and are correctly pumped up. You don’t need to spend a fortune on tyres though, you can Reserve cheap tyres online at Point S.
- Be aware – You need to be aware of the people around you, avoiding sudden actions which could end up with you needing to emergency brake.
If you do end up aquaplaning though, don’t panic!
- Gently ease of the accelerator
- Do not slam your breaks on, this will just end up locking the brakes up and making it worse.
- Keep your steering wheel straight as you can.
Driving in the winter months may be a bit slower and require more concentration as you become aware of the weather and your surroundings however there is no need to fear driving in the cold wet months!
This is a collaborative post