Wet weather driving tips

Never mind April showers – it seems October is the month for rain in the UK, with heavy storms affecting large parts of the country. Rainfall can make driving conditions very tricky, especially if you’re towing a caravan or driving a large motorhome, so the Coast team has put together some tips to help you stay safe on the road:

1. Leave plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle in front – stopping distances can more than double in the wet and spray can hinder visibility
   
2. Make sure your tyres are in good condition to reduce the chance of aquaplaning
   
3. Watch your speed: the faster you go, the greater the chance you will lose control behind the wheel
   
4. Replace your wiper blades if they are more than two years old, otherwise they may not clear the windscreen effectively
   
5. Don’t apply your brakes heavily as a sudden change in speed could destabilise your vehicle
   
6. Brake before you reach puddles in the road, not whilst you are driving through them
   
7. Find the driest line – this may mean avoiding the outside lane or driving in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you
   
8. Turn on your headlights in gloomy conditions to ensure you can see and be seen
   
9. If you do aquaplane, don’t stamp on the brakes; lift off the accelerator and keep the wheels straight. If you start to skid, turn the steering wheel in the same direction that you are skidding
   
10. Don’t be afraid to pull over if conditions become so severe that visibility becomes very poor. It is better to have a cup of tea and wait for the eye of the storm to pass than soldier on and risk having an accident

Coast is an expert provider of caravan insurance and motorhome insurance. For a no obligation quotation call Freephone 0800 614 849 or click here for an online caravan quotation.