Stay safe when driving through storms, floods and winter lockdowns
With the UK back following “essential trips only” guidance, many of our cars are standing for long periods on driveways and in garages.
But for all journeys, in all kinds of weather, it’s essential to have your car in good working order, and to know how to drive safely when conditions are poor.
Snow caused chaos in recent days, and new storm and flood warnings mean all precautions must be taken by motorists who can’t avoid hitting the roads at some point.
These tips and checks from experts will help ensure your safety and that of passengers, other motorists and pedestrians.
Ensure your car is ready for the road and de-mist your car thoroughly. Check that your lights are in good working order. Be sure to check your tyres are safe and fluid levels are up.
You should have emergency supplies in your car, in case you break down or find yourself having to pull over in bad weather. Include water and snacks, a first aid kit and a blanket, maybe spare clothing.
Heavy levels of rain are common at this time of year and your windscreen wipers improve your visibility. Worn or broken wipers will not clear your windows of moisture and debris and can cloud your vision.
Slow down and double your stopping distances in poor conditions.
Wet roads lead to wet brakes. The former leads to less tyre traction on the road and the latter leads to brakes that can be slower to react.
As a rule of thumb, stopping distances need to be doubled in the wet. If you’re travelling 30mph, it’s recommended that you give an overall stopping distance of 75 feet (30 feet for thinking distance). This would increase to 120 feet should you be travelling at 40mph, 175 feet if travelling at 50 and 240 feet if travelling at 60mph.
Use your lights! It can be easy to forget them, but if your car has no automatic lights then be conscious of waning natural light. It may seem light enough at 5pm but, if you have any doubt, it’s best to pop them on. They will make you stand out to traffic around you.
Keep a firm grip on the wheel as strong winds can force your car in different directions, causing you to drift. Keep two hands on the wheel and be prepared to hold on tight when a gust comes your way.
This also means avoiding cruise control. If you were to cross standing water, cruise control can lead to your car speeding up, and you may aquaplane, or worse.
Avoid standing water as driving into it will not only slow your vehicle down with no warning to others behind, it can impair your vision by spraying the windscreen. It could cause you to aquaplane and lose control of your car or could be hiding potholes and debris below, which could damage your car or cause a crash.
Take your time. You may be running late, but extreme weather conditions mean slow and steady. Strong winds can affect your car’s braking and handling abilities.
Most importantly, it’s imperative to stay safe. If you are not comfortable driving in the rain, get public transport or lift share with someone who is confident – or stay put if you can.
Duncan Chapman, retailer principal at Ray Chapman Motors York, said: “After months of being largely stationary, your car might not be in peak condition to set off on a long journey.
“There are quick and easy steps you can take at home to ensure your car isn’t deteriorating due to a lack of use.
“A good baseline for battery usage is to run your car’s engine for five minutes every three or four days when
your car isn’t being used. This helps the battery stay charged. The battery would usually re-charge as you drive, so when the car is not in use, the battery is more likely to go flat without you noticing.
“It’s a good idea to try to park your car somewhere sheltered such as a garage. If this isn’t possible, invest in a car cover to help protect your car from the elements. This will also avoid frost-covered windows when you’re on your way to the shop.
“It is actually a myth that you need to leave your car’s engine on for a few minutes before you set off to ‘warm it up’. This wastes fuel unnecessarily and is harmful to the environment – all that is required is 30 seconds to circulate the engine’s oil, then you’re good to go. The best way to bring your engine up to operating temperature is to drive the car gently at
Unworn windscreen wipers are vital for driving in wet weather