Snow, sleet, ice and heavy rain can make driving in Autumn and Winter particularly hazardous, so it’s important to keep your vehicle well maintained, particularly the brakes.  Before the winter sets in, ask your garage to service your vehicle, paying particular attention to the brake fluid, pads and discs .Most of us don’t think too much about how the brakes on our vehicle work but if you don’t maintain the braking system you could find yourself in trouble.
When you press down on your brake pedal, a piston forces the brake fluid to move causing a second piston to apply pressure to the brake pads. The pads compress against the discs forcing the car to stop.

It is therefore of crucial importance that your brake fluid is at the correct level. If the brake fluid is leaking then it applies less pressure to the pads which makes it harder to stop. If you have a significant leak then your brakes won’t work at all. Make sure you check that your tyres are properly inflated before driving and are not going bald. Bald tyres won’t grip to the roads properly and may cause you to skid or aquaplane.
As well as keeping your car maintained you should practice safe driving techniques to ensure that you can brake safely in heavy rain, snow or ice. Drive slowly and keep a greater stopping distance between you and the car in front. It will take you longer to brake in wet weather.

Try to drive close to the middle of the road as snow and water accumulates towards the edges and drive in the tracks of the cars ahead of you. Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely as the spray from their tyres could reduce your visibility. It stands to reason that it’s not a good idea to overtake snow ploughs and gritting vehicles as the road will be much worse in front of them!

Use a low gear and try to avoid using your brakes to slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and slow down gradually. Slow down before entering bends on the road. Steer and brake with a light touch. If you do skid, ease your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If you start to skid and have anti-locking brakes (ABS) apply steady pressure to the brakes. If you don’t and your wheels start to lock, ease off the brake.

Make sure the soles of your shoes are dry before driving so they don’t slip off the pedals.
If you find yourself in heavy rain or snow and you are struggling to see properly, pull over and wait for the storm to pass. Avoid driving altogether in wintry conditions if you can avoid it and check the weather forecasts and traffic information before you set off. Leave extra time for your journey and carry emergency equipment including a properly inflated spare tyre, a shovel, torch, ice scraper, warm clothes and boots.