Heavy rain and high winds – driving advice

With further heavy rain forecast, motorists across the West Mercia region are being urged to take care and exercise caution.

The Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police are advising motorists that if driving through larger puddles or smaller areas of standing water drive slowly and steadily, allow oncoming traffic to pass and always test your brakes after leaving the water.

If water has flooded across a section of road it may be difficult to tell exactly how deep it is. Do not ignore road closures and if you do come across a road that is flooded do not attempt to drive through the flood water.

In weather conditions such as this visibility can also be seriously reduced so headlights must be used, together with allowing a bigger gap between you and the car in front to allow for the increased stopping distance.

If you are unlucky enough to break down in any further heavy rain, advice from the AA is to try and get the car to a safe and visible place, call for roadside assistance and wait for help to arrive.

Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership said:

“We are urging all motorists to exercise caution in these conditions, use common sense and follow our simple advice.”

Further information

The Safer Roads Partnership is part of West Mercia Police and works in partnership with the four local highway authorities in West Mercia (Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Worcestershire County Council); the Highways Agency; HM Courts Service – West Mercia; the two Fire & Rescue Services for Hereford & Worcester and Shropshire; and West Mercia Cluster of Primary Care Trusts.