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RAA is reminding South Australians to take extra care and drive to the conditions today, as wild weather hits Adelaide, causing stopping distances to increase by around 14 metres on 60km/hr roads.
The state’s peak motoring body is urging drivers to:
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said stopping distances increase by around 30 per cent when roads are wet.
“Wet roads bring extra challenges for drivers, so drivers need to remain fully focused on the task at hand today,” Mr Mountain said.
“Stopping distances increase by almost a third in wet conditions, and even more if your tyres are worn.
“And this increases as your speed does – for example at 100km/hr it will take around 127 metres to come to a stop, versus just 90 metres when it’s dry.”
“Inclement weather can also mean reduced visibility, making it harder to see pedestrians or cyclists, which is another reason to drive at a safe speed that allows us to come to a stop if required.
“It’s also a good idea to check the condition of your tyres, because worn tyres don’t disperse water as effectively which increases the risk of aquaplaning, where your tyres lose contact with the road and the vehicle doesn’t respond to steering.
“With the devastatingly high number of lives lost on our roads this year, it’s as important as ever to drive to the conditions.”
Mr Mountain also said drivers could check the Traffic SA website for current traffic delays and restrictions.