Before you set off –
- Check your route, the weather forecast and traffic information bulletin sites.
- Pack extra kit, including spare warm clothes, a torch, food, water and blanket.
- Take a mobile phone and make sure the battery is fully charged.
- Consider whether your journey is necessary – don’t drive unless you have to.
- Tell someone where you are going and arrange to call them when you arrive.
Check your vehicle –
- Ensure the tyres are in good condition and correctly inflated – including the spare.
- Make sure the wipers are in good condition and work correctly.
- Make sure the screen washer bottle is full.
- Pack emergency driving kit, including emergency triangle and high visibility vest.
- Make sure the vehicle is in good condition and you have enough fuel for the journey.
- Tune your vehicle’s radio so that you receive traffic bulletins.
Effects of Rain
- Remember on wet roads it can take much longer to stop than on dry roads.
- Reduce your speed, particularly when there is a lot of spray.
- Increase your distance from the vehicle in front – you get a better view and more time to react.
- If you travel through deep water your vehicle could aquaplane.
- If this happens don’t panic, slow down gradually, don’t brake or steer sharply.
- Guard against the effects of fatigue, especially on long journeys in adverse weather.
Travelling Through Floods
- Flood water collects where there is a dip in the road, at the side of a cambered road, in potholes, under bridges and in poorly drained areas.
- Take particular care at night when floods can be difficult to detect.
- When approaching floods slow down, avoid driving through the water if possible.
- If the water is deep, stop and look to find the shallowest part and note any hidden obstructions.
- The depth of water which can be negotiated will depend on the vehicle’s design.
- Beware of fast moving or deep water – make sure you don’t get swept away.
If in doubt do not continue. You may get stuck, lose control or damage your vehicle.
- Having decided to drive on use first gear and keep the engine revs up by slipping the clutch to prevent the vehicle gaining too much speed whilst preventing water from entering the exhaust pipe.
- Maintain a slow, even speed to avoid making a bow wave.
- Immediately after passing through deep water drive slowly with the brakes lightly applied with the left foot until they grip. Brake gently to make sure the brakes work.