As winter is coming now, we will have to drive in heavy rain & wet roads conditions. As a professional driver I would like to share a few tips to help to stay safe on the road for your journey.

1. It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads, so slow down & allow extra distance from the vehicle in front of you (4 seconds).
2. In rainy & strong wind, watch out for falling/fallen debris on the roads & vehicles veering across the road.
3. Take extra care while driving behind a HGV (Heavy Good Vehicle) as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your own visibility.
4. Allow extra space between vulnerable roads users (Bycicles, Motorcycles, Scooter….)
5. Drive with dipped head lights while driving.
6. Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with high speed over 100Km/H.
7. Check tyres on a weekly basis & replace them if thread depth is below 3 millimetres

With added risk posed by wet or flooded roads as an ADI instructor I would advise as follows:

• If the road is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow are often deeper than you think.
• After going through water, drive slowly and apply brakes softly for a short distance, this will help to dry the brakes.
• Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because or because they are blocked by flooding. As a roads users we should always follow the recommended routes & obey the signs advising of roads closed for traffic.
• Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water, sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires & fallen or falling objects.

As a Cyclists or Pedestrian:

• Make sure to be seen. Wear a high visibility jacket or reflective arm bands.
• Take extra care when near traffic or crossing the road in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

If you are struggling when driving with heavy rain conditions & wet road, as an ADI I can help you to build up your confidence & help you to stay safe on the road, for further help you can contact us on Mob 086 044 0157 or email https://www.castletownsom.com/contact/

Thank for reading our blog.

Castletown School of Motoring

ADI number 35 371

Francis