Tags: Technologies & Safety Driving Tips motorsport WRC Citroen
Wet driving conditions contributed to 41,000 road traffic accidents in the latest 12- recorded months, so with April showers looming, we asked Citroën’s double World Rally Champion, Sébastien Loeb, for some useful, everyday reminders of how to drive safe. He said:
PUMP IT UP - Tyres help me accelerate, stop and steer my Citroën Xsara WRC to victory. They are crucial to my success and also my safety. Each day I compete the team checks the tyre pressure on my car up to seven times. Check your tyres for correct pressure and wear at regular intervals.
WET’N’WILD - Water hazards on events make great photos; however speeding through puddles increases the risk of your car swerving or aquaplaning, even if you have plenty of tyre tread depth, and reduces the effectiveness of your brakes. On exiting deep water, dry your brakes by dabbing the brake pedal.
BACK OFF - It doesn’t matter if you’re a World Rally Champion driver or not, in the wet conditions you are going to need anywhere between two and 10 times more distance to stop. Think ahead and try to keep at least four seconds behind the car in front.
SLIP SLIDING - Driving sideways can carve important seconds off stage times, but if a skid catches you unawares on public roads it could be fatal. The fact is you’re four times more likely to experience a skid in wet conditions than dry. Skids can be caused by over harsh braking, acceleration or steering, so you need to ease off whatever has caused it, steer and look in the direction that you want to go.
BE SEEN - Don’t be the last to turn on your headlamps in low light conditions. Dawn and dusk are longer in these months and storm clouds can turn the sky black in moments. The headlamps on my car give me extra vital seconds warning of upand- coming hazards. Keep them clean and turn them on.
SLOW DOWN - Not the kind of advice you’d expect from me, but the roads are most treacherous as the first drops of rain dilute road surface oil and grease. Ease off the accelerator. Everything is easier to cope with if you just slow down a little.
GLASS ACT - To win the World Rally Championship I have to pilot my Citroën through dust, snow, fog, ice and gravel at speeds of up to 120mph. I would be useless if I couldn’t see ahead. A smear-free clean windscreen and wipers that work properly are crucial to safe and confident driving in all conditions. Get a proper screenwash and replace worn wipers.
BLINDING LIGHT - Sun glare off wet roads is distracting and dangerous. The windscreen of my WRC car is tinted according to the conditions of the rally, but when I am not competing I keep a pair of everyday sunglasses to hand in the car. If you can’t see, don’t be embarrassed to slow down and stop until conditions improve.
