Met Office reveals key safety tips to stay safe on rainy roads as Storm Antoni bears down on the UK
THE Met Office has revealed its key safety tips to stay safe on rainy roads as Storm Antoni bears down on the UK.
Yellow weather warnings are in place this weekend as heavy rain and high winds are forecast as Brits have been told to brace for wild weather.
With road conditions set to be slippy, the Met ran through a list of things drivers should do to avoid accidents.
First and foremost, reducing your speed when the road surface is slick or visibility is hampered is the best way to ensure a smooth journey.
Remember that the speed limit is a maximum speed and not a target, so going at your own pace is perfectly allowed.
Just make sure to keep your lights on and indicate clearly and with plenty of time before changing lanes, taking off or stopping when visibility is poor.
Likewise, giving yourself more space from the car in front allows more time to react to any hazards up ahead, which can be crucial in the wet as braking distances are stretched.
Use dipped lights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic and be careful of spray from other cars, which can make it even harder to see ahead.
Thirdly, drivers were warned to watch out for cross winds blowing through gaps in trees or buildings or across elevated bridges.
Strong winds focussed through narrow openings can be enough to blow vehicles off course, so make sure you stay in your lane and adjust as necessary.
This is particularly important for motorcycle riders, as lighter bikes can easily be blown across the carriageway if caught at the wrong angle.
Motorists were also advised to try and stick to main roads, where the chances of fallen branches, debris or flooding is lower.
The Met added: “If the road is flooded, turn around and find another route.
“The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water, so the safest advice is turn around, don’t drown.”
Forecasters say Storm Antoni will bring unseasonably windy weather to southern parts of the UK on Saturday.
The storm could also bring winds of up to 50mph inland in parts of south Wales and southwest England where a warning is in place for August 5 from 8am until 8pm.
The warning says “injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible”.
Brits should prepare themselves for the chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, according to the Met.
There is also a chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
It comes after a motors expert revealed the nine safety checks you must follow when driving in wind and rain.