The car feature you SHOULDN'T use when driving in storm conditions

By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR

With Britain set to be drenched by a month's worth of rain in 24 hours on Friday, motoring experts have warned there is a one button in their cars they should absolutely not press during Storm Claudia.

Two 12-hour 'danger to life' amber warnings for up to six inches (150mm) of rain have been imposed for parts of central England and South Wales, from noon until midnight.

And as well as 120 flood alerts nationwide, Britons will also be tackling winds of up to 70mph.

With the treacherous conditions set to cause havoc on the roads, motoring groups and safety organisations have been urging caution to drivers.

Among the recommendations to keep motorists safe is the call for drivers to not use one everyday feature designed for convenience.

With a rise in surface water on roads comes the risk of 'aquaplaning' - where a layer of water between tyres and the road surface can lead to a total loss of traction and control of the vehicle's direction of travel.

And using a car's cruise control can increase the risk of this happening, Select Car Leasing has warned.

If drivers do feel their car is aquaplaning they should ease off the throttle and avoid braking.

They too should keep both hands on the wheel and try to avoid any sudden steering movements, as doing so could send the vehicle veering off course once traction does return, while maintaining a safe following distance to the vehicle in front.

Rule 227 of the Highway Code also adds: 'If the steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means that water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.'

The Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings (in red) and 96 alerts (in orange) for Friday 14 November

The issue is highlighted in rule 121 of the Highway Code, which states that if a motorist has driven through deep water, they should test the effectiveness of their brakes at the first safe opportunity.

Without functioning brakes, a vehicle could be deemed unsafe, and could lead to a fine up to £2,500, three points on a driving licence, and possibly a driving ban.

James Driscoll, motor claims manager at Aviva, said: 'Flash floods can catch us off guard and the depth of flood water can also be deceptive, meaning that drivers may not always be able to gauge the true depth of the water or see submerged hazards on the road.

'If you encounter a flood or higher levels of flood water in a ford, always find an alternative route to your destination. Even a small amount of water can cause severe damage to your brakes and engine, potentially leading to irreparable damage to your vehicle.

'Water from floods can often be contaminated with sewage or mud which can lead to extensive repairs to your car, if it’s repairable at all.'

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