Safety margins
You are driving down a steep hill and the road is wet. What should you do about your following gap?
- Keep a smaller gap so you can see the bend
- Follow at the normal dry-road distance
- Increase the gap, as the slope and wet road lengthen brakingCorrect
- Rely on your handbrake to slow down
Why?
Rule 227 warns wet roads at least double stopping distances, and going downhill gravity adds to your speed, making braking harder. Rule 126 says never get closer than your stopping distance, so leave extra room here.
Highway Code rules 126, 227