Drivers warned to watch out for summer ice
Drivers have been warned to be wary of summer ice, a condition that occurs when it finally rains after continuous hot weather.
It said that during prolonged dry weather, residue from vehicles including oil and tyre rubber can build up on road surfaces. When the rain finally falls, this residue can mix with the rainwater to create a slippery film that coats the tarmac.
Experts from MoneySuperMarket have said that summer ice is often visible to the naked eye, typically looking like a rainbow sheen similar to an oil spill. However, it can be less obvious and appear simply as a wet road.
The Highway Code states that the normal stopping distance between cars on dry roads is two seconds. This is doubled on wet roads, but on icy roads the stopping distance can increase by up to 10 times.
Slow down
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket said: “Over the past few weeks, drivers will have become used to dry, grippy roads. But when the rain returns, road surfaces can become just as slippery as ice, and because it might look like an ordinary wet road, people may not adjust their driving to suit the conditions.
“Rule 126 of The Highway Code states that dangerous or careless driving offences such as tailgating are enforced by the police, and if your stopping distance is inadequate and you are in a collision, you could be at fault and have your insurance claim denied.
“During this time, it’s important to slow down when driving your vehicle, leave extra distance from the car in front, and avoid any harsh braking or acceleration after the rain returns – just like you would in icy or snowy conditions.”
