IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger  said: “A suddenly very wet road surface increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering, which is a problem not just for motorists, but cyclists and motorcyclists too.

“When driving in wet conditions remember that stopping distances will increase, and visibility will be reduced. Drop your speed and give yourself more time to slow down.”

In cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If it is unavoidable, and you have to drive through deep water, the IAM recommends drivers take the following precautions:

• Drive on the highest section of the road and don’t set off if a vehicle is approaching you
• Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians
• Drive slowly and keep going once you have started – make sure you have a clear run. In a manual car, keep the revs high by “slipping the clutch” (which means the clutch is not fully engaged) all the time you are in the water
• If you can’t see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it
• In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator, as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe
• Once you’re out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking nothing is following you too closely.

Speaking alongside some of the world leading experts on the topic, Head of Research at the insurers’ research centre, Matthew Avery, told delegates that engineering holds the key, through the continued introduction and availability of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to prevent and mitigate accidents.

Whilst a wide range of ADAS systems are already providing many motorists with an additional level of safety, it is Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems in particular that are integral in preventing whiplash. Avery pointed to real world international claims data demonstrating a claims frequency reduction of both personal injury and accident damage of more than 25% in a year long study based on Volvo’s AEB system ‘City Safety’. Other international studies reveal a similar trend for crash reduction associated with AEB fitment and dependent upon the functionality of individual systems.

The vehicle safety experts at Thatcham Research firmly believe that AEB technologies are fundamental in reducing crashes and consequently whiplash claims and are working on a number of initiatives both with insurers and vehicle manufacturers to drive this forward.

These include the development of AEB testing protocols to measure system performance both for car-to-car and car-to-pedestrian impact scenarios – Thatcham are proposing these test procedures to Euro NCAP, the European vehicle safety organisation, for consideration on potential inclusion within their vehicle safety ratings by 2014.

Meanwhile, Avery also revealed that a proposal for AEB to be recognised within the Group Rating system is currently being considered, which has the potential to reduce premiums with standard fitment of such systems.

“The effectiveness of AEB systems as primary vehicle safety technologies in preventing accidents from occurring in the first place is the key to reducing both personal injury and accident damage claims. As we see more and more manufacturers beginning to offer effective crash prevention systems on a range of mainstream, volume selling vehicles, we should begin to see a reduction in claims, which can only be good news for insurers and motorists. Through our testing protocols and with ongoing support from manufacturers, key safety organisations and stakeholders, Thatcham will continue to drive the quality and range of available systems with the view that prevention is better than cure” – Matthew Avery, Head of Research at Thatcham.

The Warranty Direct-owned campaign website, potholes.co.uk, is calling for councils to resurface pothole-ravaged roads and to scrap their patch and mend policy.

The call comes as the annual ALARM (Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance) report reveals that there are 1.7million potholes in England and Wales and an 11-year backlog of road repairs.

Potholes.co.uk revealed last year that British motorists shell out an average of over £1 million a day fixing suspension and axle damage caused by potholes and badly-maintained roads. Most damage is done on smaller A and B-roads and local routes used more frequently by drivers.

Now, despite a mild winter, the pothole crisis continues, causing unnecessary breakdowns, dangerous evasive maneuvers and average repair bills of £319. Potholes.co.uk wants local authorities to focus on prevention rather patch-ups by deploying a strategy of resurfacing to combat the immediate reappearance of poorly filled craters.

Duncan McClure Fisher, of Warranty Direct, which set up potholes.co.uk, said: “It’s simply not acceptable for local authorities to patch-up roads that resemble the surface of the moon – they need to be resurfaced.

“Local and residential roads are regularly ignored. Councils need to be creative, enlisting local businesses and spending the money there is as wisely as possible, not wasting a penny on repairs which only last a matter of days sometimes.

“A lack of foresight is often to blame; if every council had at least a passable ‘pothole plan’ they’d be better prepared and all of us would be spending far less time and money fixing our cars.”

To report a pothole, locate dangerous craters on your route or simply to have your say on the topic of road maintenance, visit www.potholes.co.uk.

The Green Insurance Company will be backing international road-race star James McBride in the coming TT Zero race (June 9) at this year’s Isle of Man event.

McBride, 34, from Kettering, Northants, is one of the UK’s most experienced road-racers, having taken part in the North West 200, Ulster GP, Macau GP as well as racing in numerous classes in the legendary Isle of Man TT races. In 2010 he will race with Team ManTTx Racing in the exciting clean-emission TT Zero electric motorcycle race.

The Isle of Man TT is one of the last true spectacles left in global motorsport. Riders race against the clock around the 37.73-mile public road circuit which provides a huge test for riders. Racing began on the Island in 1907, but despite a proud history of more than 100 years, the Isle of Man TT races last year also provided innovation thanks to the inaugural clean-emissions race, which featured electric motorcycles on the course for the first time.

For McBride, the race will bring its own challenges. His traditional 1000cc motorcycle weighs around 165 kilos and produces up to 200 brake horsepower – the same as a Honda Civic Type R. He says: “On my 1000cc bike we’ve been speed-trapped at 185-190mph down Sulby Straight – the fastest part of the TT course. With the electric bike in comparison, we have around 40 brake horsepower and a top speed of around 112mph. Riding it is very different, as we only have one gear.

“It’s also different for the spectators, who are used to the sound of an engine at high-revs and with a loud exhaust to give maximum performance. Instead, there’s a quiet, laid-back ‘whizz’ of just the chain and the noise from the tyres!”, he added.

McBride was a late entry to last year’s zero-emissions race and despite not being able to get in any practice laps, he was leading his class and was in second place overall before a technical problem forced his retirement. He says: “I’m with the same team this year and they’re all very passionate about this event. There is a feeling of what could have been last year, but we’re not dwelling on it. Our prime focus is the 2010 race. We’ve tested the bike, which is a development of what we had last year and we intend to test again at Jurby circuit, on the Isle of Man. We’re all extremely excited as the event is now scheduled as a proper ‘race’, and we have a very good chance of securing an Isle of Man TT race podium!”

The 2010 clean emissions race, TT Zero, features riders, like James, who are also competing in the other TT classes. The one-lap race will take place on Wednesday, June 9th, at 4.30pm, following the second Supersport and second Sidecar races. The qualifying sessions will take place on June 5th and 7th.

In addition to the usual prize money, the Isle of Man Government has created a £10,000 prize fund for the first TT Zero Race team to record a 100mph lap (160.93kph) around the 37.73-mile course. The highest average speed lap in 2009 was 87.434mph.

Tony Way, Managing Director of The Green Bike Insurance Company said: “The link-up between James, the team, TT Zero and The Green Insurance Company is a marriage made in heaven. The Green Insurance Company is for motorcyclists and drivers who want more than just low-cost insurance and we’re committed to supporting eco-friendly racing in every way we can.”

The Green Insurance Company make it easy for customers to ‘go green’ by offsetting 100% of their customers’ bikes’ harmful emissions every year they insure with them. Bikers can also get a further 5% low emission discount if they ride a greener bike and/or complete lower mileage. So, they can be kinder to the environment while enjoying the practicality and pleasure that only a motorcycle or scooter can bring.

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TDISport.com

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