Road safety in April showers

Date: 27/4/2011

Following the recent spells of dry and sunny weather in the UK, sudden heavy showers over the coming days and weeks could pose a road safety hazard for drivers.

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), rain after a long arid period can cause surfaces to become dangerously slippery.

As a result, the organisation has offered some recommendations on how to avoid accidents, including keeping in mind that both visibility and stopping times will be reduced.

Indeed, motorists should allow around four seconds to come to a halt between themselves and the car in front - around double what is necessary when roads are dry.

Meanwhile, wipers that are causing smearing should ideally be replaced, while a windscreen bottle needs to be kept filled up with water and the appropriate cleaning fluid.

Peter Rodger, Chief Examiner at the IAM, said: "Rain after a long period of dry weather makes the road surface extremely slippery. A combination of oil, loose gravel and dried rubber all prevent the tyres working efficiently."

Motor Codes also recently urged people to keep safety in mind, noting that ensuring a vehicle has undergone maintenance could be a wise step before heading out on an extended trip over the bank holiday weekend.

Posted by Sarah Bailey