Skidding accidents to double as weather turns

Road accidents involving cars skidding will almost double from this month, as the Indian summer gives way to a somewhat soggier climate, says Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe.

Stopping distances are at least doubled in wet weather as opposed to dry, with the driver of a car travelling at 50mph needing to increase their stopping distance from 53m (175 feet) to 106m (350 feet).

“Unfortunately, too few of us change our driving style to accommodate the more treacherous conditions under the tyre at this time of year,” explains Malcolm Jones, Product Planning Manager for Cooper Europe.

October traditionally signals the start of a distinctively autumnal turn in the UK’s weather, with rainfall records dating back to 1903 showing that the winter half-year (October-March) marks a dramatic increase in precipitation, which makes road surfaces unpredictable.

Of cars involved in accidents in wet conditions, 18.7 percent slew across the road, as opposed to 10.5 percent in fine weather. The figure is even higher for motorcyclists, with 27.2 percent sliding under locked brakes in rainy conditions.

With too many motorists still unaware of how they can reduce the risks of having an accident, Cooper Europe has come up with the top five safety tips for driving in the rain.

Check your tyre pressures – underinflated tyres sustain excessive wear, causing aquaplaning and unpredictable handling

Check your tyre tread. Legally, tread must be at least 1.6mm deep but stopping distances increase significantly when the tyre is worn down to 3mm

Keep speeds down and remain well back from the vehicle in front. This will allow you to see further and plan ahead

If steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means you are going too fast for the tyre to grip. Ease off the accelerator and slow gradually

Make sure you have plenty of windscreen washer, as spray from vehicles in front of you will smear your windscreen, impairing your view