I found it interesting observing driver behaviour during the recent period of heavy rain. Quite clearly many drivers see driving in the rain as little different to driving in normal conditions. No change in speed, tailgating prevalent, worse in some cases as some drivers stay close to the car in front to avoid spray and see where there going in the limited visibility. The old rule of counting to three to set a larger gap to the car in front is all but forgotten.

From my perspective many new large SUV’s tend to mask the lack of adhesion and braking distance required for such a heavy vehicle until there is an absolute braking emergency – sure tyre technology and anti-lock braking efficiency in modern cars and SUV’s has come leaps and bounds since I started testing cars 40 years ago but after a prolonged period of dry weather a wet road presents far less adhesion which only a good driver today seems able to accept.

I’m David Berthon.

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