Motoring » Buying A Car On The Road Learning Safe Driving Driving Abroad Maintenance Road Rage On Two Wheels Emotive     It rains so often in the UK that it's easy to become complacent about the increased accident risk. Remember that your brakes and tyres are much less effective when road surfaces are wet. Particularly dangerous is the first rainfall after a dry spell, and especially on urban roads. Until it has washed it all away, the fresh rain combines with fuel spills, soot, dust and tyre debris, and the result can be as slick as glass. Slow down! In wet conditions tyres have less grip than on dry roads and stopping distances will be at least doubled. Travelling too fast in wet conditions could result in aquaplaning. This is where a layer of water forms between your tyres and the road surface. In effect, your tyres are not touching the road and you lose control over steering and braking. Increase your distance from vehicles in front. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually to avoid skidding. Turn on your headlights. Rain and spray will reduce visibility. Use your windscreen wipers and demisters. If you have to drive through floodwater, move slowly in first gear, keeping the engine speed high to prevent it stalling and to keep water from backing up the exhaust.