New study reveals scary wet weather truth
Fresh research has revealed more than a third of Aussies fear driving in wet weatherThere are two types of drivers when it starts raining; those that excitedly declare ‘skid weather’ and those that immediately take their foot off the accelerator and look for the shortest route home.
If you identify with the latter, you could be part of the 34 per cent of Australian drivers who admit to being fearful of driving on wet roads.
According to new research commissioned by Continental Tyres – which quizzed more than 2000 Aussies aged 18 and over – more than a third are afraid, or at the very least, don’t feel confident when it comes to driving in wet weather.
A spokesperson for the tyre brand said wet weather driving poses unique challenges and being prepared is essential to staying safe.
“At Continental Tyres, our priority is to ensure drivers have the knowledge and tools to navigate these conditions confidently,” said Mitchell Golledge.
“Implementing simple precautions and using high-quality tyres can make all the difference on the road."
That includes the basics, such as slowing down and leaving a larger distance between you and other vehicles, as well as ensuring your tyres – the only component that connects you and your car to the road – are in good condition.
Here are Continental Tyres’ top tips for staying safe when driving in wet conditions:
- Brake carefully and be in full control: In wet conditions, brakes do not respond as quickly as they do on dry roads. In fact, sudden braking can cause a vehicle to skid. Drivers should try to slow down by taking their foot off the accelerator and avoid using the brakes unless absolutely necessary.
- Maintain a greater distance between other vehicles: It takes about three times longer to brake on wet roads than on dry roads, so give other drivers more space. Maintaining more than two car lengths between vehicles also helps to avoid the spray from other vehicles, particularly larger ones, which can inhibit visibility.
- Turn on your headlights: Drivers should turn their headlights on to increase visibility and ensure their brake lights are functioning properly.
- Check tyre inflation: Maintaining the optimal air pressure will help maximise tyre grip. The correct air pressure is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found in the vehicle door jamb.
- Regularly check tyre treads: New tyres can disperse up to 30 litres of water a second at 80km/h. While the legal tyre tread limit is 1.6mm, Continental Tyres recommends having at least 3mm of tyre tread. After this point, the risk of skidding on wet roads increases dramatically, and the longer it takes to come to a complete stop.
- Take advantage of the latest tyre safety and grip technologies: While summer tyres are the norm in Australia, certain tyre models have unique tread patterns and advanced rubber compounds that efficiently disperse water and maintain maximum contact with the road surface. An example is Continental Tyres’ newest MaxContact MC7 tyre which features laser-cut 3D sipes and a ReFlex compound that enables a shorter braking distance.
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