IAM: New and used car drivers should take extra precautions on wet roads

20 November 2009
New and used car drivers should be sure to take extra care on the roads following the recent heavy rain.

This is according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), which has offered advice for motorists heading out on the roads in the wet weather.

It suggested avoiding a route where the water looks deep or is flowing quickly, but if another option is not available, to drive on the highest section of the road.

Motorists should also take care not to swamp other drivers and ensure that when they do travel through water that they do so slowly, as driving fast could endanger other vehicles or pedestrians.

In addition, it was advised to not take the foot off the accelerator even slightly as this may cause water to go up the exhaust pipe.

Chief examiner at IAM Peter Roger said: "If the journey is unavoidable, motorists should take extra precautions when dealing with severe surface conditions.

"Torrential rain brings with it visibility problems as the car mists up in seconds."

In other road safety news, new and used car drivers were also cautioned over keeping their tyres properly inflated, as Michelin found 36 per cent of motorists do not have the correct tyre pressure.

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