Staying safe on stormy roads: Storm Ciaran

It feels like it was only 5 minutes ago that Storm Babet was wreaking havoc across the UK. But there’s new bad weather brewing. As Storm Ciaran gears up to make itself known, the experts at BigWantsYourCar.com are here to help you stay safe on those stormy roads.

We believe your car should be a haven of safety, come rain or shine. So, pop the car keys down, grab yourself a brew and take a minute to find out the best ways to stay safe on the roads.

• Keep an eye on the forecast
• Bring and emergency kit
• Slow and steady wins the race
• Check your tyres

Keep an eye on the forecast

Before you even think about revving up that engine, take a moment to check the weather forecast and the current road conditions.

Now, we don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but Mother Nature can be a bit of a drama queen during storms. If it looks like the weather is getting worse in your area, ask yourself if your journey is absolutely essential. If not, consider postponing it.

Bring an emergency kit

Picture this: the heavens opened, you’ve pulled over and now you’re stuck in a cold car wishing you had a way to warm up. Well, keeping an emergency kit in the car means this nightmare never becomes a reality. Here’s what we’d include:

• A blanket or jumper
• Torch
• Water
• Snacks
• First aid kit

Think of it like packing for a mini road trip – just in case.

Slow and steady wins the race

With storms comes rain and fog. It’s the perfect recipe for reduced visibility on the roads, so channel your inner tortoise and take it slow. It’s also really important to increase your following distance, as this gives you some extra time to react if there are any unexpected hazards in the road.

Driving slowly isn’t just about reaction time though. Water on the roads increases your risk of aquaplaning, so reducing your speed also reduces the chance of an accident.

Check your tyres

Here’s a question for you – would you wear flip flops in a storm? It might sound ridiculous, but your car’s tyres are like its shoes. That’s why regularly checking their tread and pressure is a must during bad weather.

Not sure if your tread is good enough? Try the 20p test. Place a 20p coin in the main tread grooves of your tyre; if the tyre covers most of the outer edge of the coin, then it is above the legal depth limit.

Remember: well-maintained tyres are like a good pair of rain boots, they’ll stop you from slipping on wet roads and get you to your destination safely.

Driving through Storm Ciaran

The easiest way to stay safe on stormy roads is to avoid them. Only drive if you really have to and, if Storm Ciaran gets worse while you’re on the road, pull over and wait it out. No appointment or deadline is worth compromising your safety or that of others on the road.

The message is simple: Stay safe, be prepared, and remember – storms don’t last forever, but the memories of epic karaoke sessions in a parked car during a downpour? Those are timeless.