Seen as the whole of the UK appears to be the new Atlantis we figured we’d share some knowledge and tips that we’ve picked up through years of driving in bad weather. None of which helps driving underwater but it should help your safety on these slippery and dangerous roads!

Lighten up!

Switch on your headlights and tail lights. And I mean during day time. This will not only help you see better but it will help other people see you, too. Don’t always assume everyone is doing the same, though. Although people should have their headlights and tail lights on during weather like this, not everybody does, assuming everyone has could result in over-confident driving so be careful!

Slow down!

It might sound obvious to slow down in weather like this but you’d be surprised at how many people wizz around as if there’s nothing to worry about. On wet roads, a car takes roughly twice as long to stop or reduce pace as compared to dry roads. Going slower and maintaining twice as much distance between you and the car infront will assure a safer situation if you were to stop in the case of an accident.

Control 

Handle controls carefully and gently. Any sudden movements of controls (steering wheel, pedals, gears) could cause the vehicle to skid. If you skid be careful not to panic, read this article on regaining a car’s control in the event of a skid.

Break, don’t tyre yourself out!

When you drive in this sort of weather please make sure that your tyres are in good condition, as well as your breaks, electricals such as lights, wiper motor etc. Have a mechanic look over your car if you’re planning an important drive and you’re worried that your car wont be up to the job. This can give you peace of mind and confidence when you  decide to face the roads.

Be prepared

Carry some moisture dispelling spray like WD-40, some insulation tape, a screw driver, a torch, a first aid kit and a small hammer. Something like a hammer can be used in case of a flash flood and windows need to be broken. Using these kinds of methods have helped people save lives in past.

Water-logging, what to do?

If you are driving through a water-logged area, make sure that the water is no higher than the wheel of your vehicle. It can be hard to measure, so let someone else take the plunge and gauge a height from them. Drive carefully through in first gear, it’s also a good idea to rev up the engine at high revs to prevent water entering into the tail pipe. In the event that the car stops midway, it is not advisable to try and re-start the engine. This can severely damage to your engine through a hydrostatic lock. You’ll need a mechanic before driving the car again.