Road Conditions & Vehicle Handling

How different surfaces and weather change the way your car steers, brakes and grips.

The same road behaves very differently in rain, snow, fog or strong wind. Knowing this prevents skids and loss of control.

• Using cruise control on wet or icy roads.
• Driving through deep water at speed (risk of aquaplaning or engine damage).
• Following too close in fog because you can see brake lights.

• Aquaplaning: tyres lose contact with the road. Ease off the accelerator — don't brake or steer sharply.
• In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights only when visibility is below 100 m. Switch them off when it clears.
• On a windy day, hold the wheel firmly — be ready for gusts at gaps in hedges or after bridges.
• After driving through water, test your brakes gently.

• Crossing a moorland bridge in strong wind — grip the wheel and slow down for the gust.
• Driving through a flooded dip — first gear, low speed, steady revs, then dry the brakes.

• Use fog lights only when visibility is below 100 m. Switch off when it clears.
• Aquaplaning: ease off the accelerator, don't brake or steer sharply.