| SWINTON WARNS MOTORISTS TO | | | | extreme weather conditions are forecast or |
| ACCLIMATISE TO MONSOON CONDITIONS | | | | occurring. |
| Leading high street broker issues “Monsoon | | | | “We have seen a significant rise in minor |
| Motoring Mantra” to combatextreme | | | | accidents where we believe thatthe rain impaired |
| weather dangers. | | | | stopping speeds and reaction times. The problem |
| The increasing frequency of freak weather | | | | is that Britishdrivers are not used to travelling in |
| conditions in Britain has led to a rashof car | | | | these sub-tropical conditions which |
| accidents, and car insurance claims, caused by | | | | unfortunatelyappear to be happening more |
| drivers failing to respondquickly to sudden | | | | frequently.” |
| downpours. | | | | Swinton has now produced a ”Monsoon |
| Leading high street car insurance broker, | | | | Motoring Mantra”, which it is advising drivers |
| Swinton, is advising UK drivers, most of whom | | | | to adhere to: |
| are not used to extreme weatherconditions, to | | | | · Switch on headlights |
| take extra care. The move comes as Swinton | | | | · Check wipers are effective front and |
| reports an 8 per centrise in motor accident | | | | back |
| insurance claims during the recent round of | | | | · Avoid overtaking |
| deluges. | | | | · Slow down, using a lower gear if |
| Monsoon-type rain is a particular problem, with | | | | appropriate |
| sudden torrential downpours causinglocalised | | | | · Keep wing mirrors clean so that rain |
| flooding and with it, a flood of claims. Gusting | | | | water drips clear |
| winds are also a problemat this time of year, | | | | · Keep your mobile phone to hand |
| bringing down trees and power lines. | | | | · Listen to weather updates |
| Swinton believes that an increase in | | | | · Pack water-proof clothes in case of |
| motorinsurance claims is caused by motorists | | | | breakdown |
| driving too quickly, and respondingtoo slowly, to | | | | · Ensure inside windscreens are |
| the sudden loss of visibility and the rapid build-up | | | | grease-free and so they don’t steamup |
| of road waterduring tropical downpours, resulting | | | | · Plan unfamiliar routes and identify places |
| in minor accidents. | | | | to pull over such as servicestations |
| The Swinton warning echoes a similar call from | | | | · Make sure tyres are regularly checked |
| researchers at Newcastle Universityin September, | | | | for tread and pressure |
| who said that extreme rainfall events have | | | | · Stop vehicle in very poor visibility and |
| become more frequentand intense over a | | | | apply hazard lights |
| 40-year period in Britain. They said the | | | | In the last month alone torrential rain and heavy |
| examination of weatherrecords from 1961-2000 | | | | thunderstorms raged across the |
| proved further evidence of climate change | | | | UK. Extensive flash flooding was reported across |
| occurring. | | | | the regions, with Devon, Cornwall, |
| Swinton Marketing Director, Nick Bowyer, warned: | | | | Somerset, Wales and the north west particularly |
| “Monsoon rain conditionsare now a reality in | | | | badly hit. Two women had to berescued from |
| the UK. They can occur with frightening | | | | their cars after they became trapped in their |
| immediacy. Driversmust take more care when | | | | vehicles because offlooding in east Devon. |