Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving In Poor Weather - Part 3 - Wet Roads.

Our roads are wet a lot of the time in this country of ours, so driving in the wet is taken largely for granted, but wet roads can be sometimes dangerous. 

Let's have a look at some of the problems that can come your way when the roads are wet.

Tyre grip.

Wet roads reduce the grip that your tyres have on the road surface, so give yourself plenty of time and space for slowing down and stopping. 

As always, keep your distance from other vehicles, but this is particularly important in the wet and you should allow at least double the braking distance than for a dry road.

After a dry spell, an invisible layer of rubber, from vehicle tyres, can build up on the road surface and if it then rains, this can make the surface even more slippery, so take extra care, especially when cornering.

Road surfaces can vary from time to time, (tarmac, concrete) and this might affect your tyre grip.

Also ensure you have sufficient tread on your tyres, as the less tread, the greater the braking distance. Change your tyres if they are wearing down.

Aquaplaning.

Aquaplaning is an unpleasant experience, caused when your tyres completely loose contact with the road surface in very wet weather.

Sounds impossible?

When driving at speed, aquaplaning is caused by a build up of water between your tyre and the road, causing your car to slide on a thin film of water as the tyres lose contact with the road surface. Even good tyres cannot grip in this situation and you will have no control over braking or steering, as your tyres are no longer touching the road.

If your steering suddenly feels light in wet weather, you are probably aquaplaning.

When this happens, slow down by  easing off the accelerator, as there is no point in braking. Higher speeds will make the chances of aquaplaning higher, so in wet weather, keep your speed down and avoid driving into pools and puddles, as this is a major cause.

Your brakes.

Water can reduce the effect of your brakes, so make sure you test them in a safe area, to confirm they are working normally.

Spray.

Spray is the water thrown up by other vehicles on wet roads, so keep your speed down to reduce the problem.

Overtaking, or being overtaken by heavy vehicles on a motorway or dual carriageway can be a traumatic experience, as you can be temporarily blinded by spray, even with your wipers at full speed.

Floods.

If you have to drive through a flood, don't rush in. Stop and gauge how deep the water is. Some roads which are prone to flooding have a depth gauge, so check it before you enter.

If the water is too deep, turn back and choose a different route, don't risk it. 

If in doubt, don't go!

If the water is too deep it could flood into your exhaust, or enter the air intake, causing the engine to stop and probably causing serious engine damage.

Shallow water.

If the water is not too deep, drive slowly, but keep to the shallowest part of the road, which is normally the crown, along the centre. 
Drive in first gear as slowly as possible, but with high engine speed, by slipping the clutch.

• If the engine speed is too low, you could stall.
• If you drive too fast, you could create a wave that might enter your engine, causing it to cut out.

Remember, engines and water don't mix!

When you are safely through, test your brakes when it's safe and dry them if necessary, by applying light pressure to the brake pedal as you drive along. 

If you would like to take driving lessons and pass your driving test in Gloucester with a friendly instructor, call us on 01452 313713, we'd love to help you.

Best regards,

John Lowe. 

http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org