- Wet weather driving advice issued
- Storm Claudia approaching the UK with forecasted wet weather
- Heavy rain increases risk of aquaplaning
- Turn off cruise control to reduce aquaplaning dangers
There's one thing motorists should avoid doing when driving in wet weather - and with another storm approaching the UK, it's advice worth heeding.
The UK is braced for treacherous road conditions in the coming days.
The Met Office has issued Amber weather warnings with 15-25mm of rainfall expected in most places and up to 40-50mm in parts of northern England and southern Scotland.
With a rise in surface water on roads comes the risk of ‘aquaplaning’ - where a layer of water between vehicle tyres and the road surface can lead to a total loss of traction. Drivers have now been cautioned against using their car’s cruise control system as Storm Claudia approaches - as the tech could exacerbate aquaplaning dangers.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said: “Car tyres can only handle so much water. Their grooves help channel liquid away from the road surface but in heavy rain that’s not always enough.
“When there’s lots of standing water on the highway, the risk of aquaplaning is dangerously high.
“And one important safety point that many drivers overlook concerns the use of cruise control - the electronic system that maintains a constant speed without the driver having to use the accelerator pedal.
“Our advice would be to avoid using cruise control in stormy conditions - particularly with older cars boasting less sophisticated systems than modern vehicles - because it can make aquaplaning more likely, more dangerous, and harder to recover from.
“Cruise control assumes that your car’s tyres are maintaining constant traction with the road.
“When that traction fails, such as when you aquaplane, the system might sense a drop in engine load - perhaps assuming you’re climbing a steep hill - and attempt to maintain throttle.
“In an aquaplaning scenario, staying on the throttle could worsen your loss of traction.
“Relying on cruise control in wet weather driving might also delay your reaction to the threat while masking the fact that you're aquaplaning at all.
“Cruise control also makes it tougher to ease off the accelerator gently - which you should do if you start aquaplaning - as it’s typically cancelled by applying the brakes or dabbing the clutch, both of which could actually add to your loss of control.”
Select Car Leasing says that if you feel yourself aquaplaning you should ease off the throttle and avoid braking, keep both hands on the wheel and try to avoid any sudden steering movements, as doing so could send you veering off course once traction does return, while maintaining a safe following distance to the vehicle in front.
Rule 227 of the Highway Code also adds: “If the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.”
Meanwhile National Highways has also issued advice for driving in extreme wet weather.
When you’re on the road you should:
- If it’s time for your wipers, it’s time to slow down.
- Use dipped headlights, especially if visibility is seriously reduced.
- The roads will be more slippery than usual, so give yourself more time to react - increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front to at least four seconds.
- Look out for standing water - adjust your driving before and after encountering any
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times - spray from other vehicles can suddenly reduce your visibility.
- Visibility affects others too, so anticipate their actions and be prepared.
- During thunderstorms, sudden gusty winds can unsettle vehicles. Keep your speed down and give other road users more room.
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