Wet Weather Conditions

Wet weather conditions create numerous difficulties for every Driver. The younger driver is particularly vulnerable because he or she hasn’t yet had the experience to know exactly what to expect and how to deal with the various situations caused by different weather conditions.

Let’s look at the different levels of Wet Conditions before we assess what steps have to be taken to combat them.

1. Light Rain or Drizzle…Light visibility conditions reasonably O.K.

2. Heavier Rain but Steady…Light visibility conditions fair.

3. Heavy Rain------------------------ Light visibility conditions Poor!

4. Torrential Rain-------------------- Light visibility conditions Very Poor!

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To combat and minimise the effect of these difficult conditions your car needs to be in tip-top shape!

1.      Tyres need to be correctly inflated...Have a look at Tyre care

2.      Tread Depth will dictate whether or not you will be able to stop in an emergency. Remember if your tread depth is verging on the legal limit then you and your car will be verging on the Lethal(legal but Lethal)

3.      In dry weather conditions you will get away with lower tread depths (but we certainly don’t recommend it) however in wet conditions you had better not rely on crossing your fingers!

4.      Brakes need to be in good shape with no excessive brake pedal travel.

5.      Screen Wash Reservoir needs to be full and checked before any long journey and use some additive which can be purchased in any motor accessory store or supermarket, for improved lubrication.

6.      Wiper Blade Rubbers should be changed annually. A worn blade will not do as good a job of cleaning and can even scratch the windscreen. Once a windscreen is scratched you can’t un-scratch it!

7.      In rainy conditions the windscreens will cool very quickly even during the summer months with higher ambient temperatures, with result that misting –up will occur rapidly. Your heater controls set-up should be activated in advance. Don’t wait until the windscreens are obviously clouding up. Once misting-up has commenced it will take much longer to clear if you haven’t already set two out of the three switches inmotion!