Driving and the Weather

What happens when water collects on the road surface?

Aquaplaning – tyres lift off the road surface and skate on a film of water, the steering becomes light.

If this happens:

-       Ease off the accelerator

-       Do not brake until steering feels normal

You're driving along a wet road. How can you tell if your vehicle's tyres are losing their grip on the surface?

The steering will feel very light

-       This means that the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are floating on the surface of the water. This is known as aquaplaning.

-       Reduce speed but don't brake until your steering returns to normal.

Driving on wet road – what do you do if you have to stop your vehicle in emergency?

Keep both hands on the steering wheel so you can control the vehicle’s direction of travel

-       If you have to stop in an emergency, react as soon as you can while keeping control of the vehicle

What should you do when you're driving in snowy conditions?

Brake gently in plenty of time

-       In snowy conditions, be careful with the steering, accelerator and brakes. Braking sharply while you're driving on snow is likely to make your car skid.

What will help you to move off on a snowy surface?

Using a higher gear than normal

-       If you attempt to move off in a low gear, there'll be more torque (turning force) at the driven wheels than if you use a higher gear

-       More torque makes it easier for the tyres to lose grip and so spin the wheels.

Why would you fit chains to your wheels?

To help prevent skidding in deep snow

-       Help you move off without wheel spin, or to keep moving in deep snow

How can you avoid wheelspin when you're driving on an icy road?

Drive at a slow speed in the highest gear possible

-       Keeping your speed down and using the highest gear possible will reduce the risk of the tyres losing their grip on this slippery surface.

What would suggest you're driving on an icy road?

There's less tyre noise

-       When travelling on ice, tyres make virtually no noise and the steering feels light and unresponsive.

-       In icy conditions, be very gentle when braking, accelerating and steering.

What will be affected if the road surface becomes soft in very hot weather?

The tyre grip

-       If the road surface becomes very hot, it can soften. Tyres are unable to grip a soft surface as well as they can a firm dry one.

-       Take care when cornering and braking

You're driving in freezing conditions. What should you do as you approach a sharp bend?

Slow down gently

• Harsh use of the accelerator, brakes or steering is likely to lead to skidding, especially on slippery surfaces

• Avoid steering and braking at the same time

• If your rear wheels begin to skid, steer into the skid by turning the wheel in the same direction