I think we can all agree the weather's been pretty poor recently, and it doesn't look like it'll be cheering up anytime soon. Hopefully you’ll be hunkered down somewhere safe and warm, but should you find yourself venturing out, here are our top tips for safe driving in wet and windy weather!

• Test your brakes, lights and your wipers before setting off on your journey.
• Switch your headlights on. Even in daylight spray from the road can make visibility very poor so use your headlights. Be safe, be seen.
• Know your route. Visibility is likely to be poor so road signs will be harder to see.
• Keep your distance. Stopping distances on wet surfaces are typically twice that of the stopping distance on a dry surface.
• Try to avoid driving through large bodies of water as steering can become unresponsive. Should you find that your tyres are losing their grip on the road due to water, try not to brake (if it can be avoided.) Simply come off your accelerator and wait for the motion of the car to carry you through the water. Gently accelerate again once your tyres regain traction.
• Be aware of strong cross winds when driving on any open stretch of road. This is particularly dangerous to high-sided vehicles. If you are in a smaller vehicle, keep your distance and try to avoid overtaking any high-sided vehicle.
• Be aware that larger vehicles can create turbulence in high winds. If you drive a small vehicle/motorcycle it is best to avoid overtaking if possible. Be aware of the dangers motorcyclists face when overtaking vehicles and try to keep your distance in case they are blown off course.
• After your journey is complete, it is advisable to test your brakes before setting off again (in case they have been damaged by the excessive water levels.)

You can get more information on the flood warnings for your area here. 

See also our Tips for Driving Through Flood Water

Safe Travels!