Strong winds, heavy rain and snow across the UK have caused flooding chaos and travel disruptions over the past few weeks. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in major cities of the UK, including London. Although the flood risk in London is very low, the snowy and rainy weather conditions may lead to rush-hour travel disruptions, roads closure, and delays.
If you drive a PCO car in London, the current weather situation can cause challenging driving conditions for you and may affect your earnings. However, with careful driving and planning, you can navigate these difficult times. In this guide, we have listed some essential things to consider.
Stay Alert at all Times
It’s common for people to drive subconsciously when they are on the road. However, this can be quite dangerous, even more so during bad weather. It’s crucial to stay alert at all times and look for other motorists on the road to prevent incidents.
Take Precautions to Prevent Hydroplaning
When you drive on flooded/wet roads, a layer of water forms between your tyres and the road, leaving no control or traction for your vehicle—this is known as hydroplaning or skidding. It’s crucial to take necessary precautions to prevent skidding for your and others’ safety. If you see a flooded road, choose the lane with less water build-up and don’t drive at high speed.
Hydroplaning usually occurs at speeds above 45-58 mph, so keep this in mind when driving. In addition, you must check your tyres during this weather. Get them replaced even if they’re slightly deflated and don’t have much tread. Tyres with less tread are at higher risk for skidding.
Plan Ahead
Make sure you always plan before starting your day. Check the weather forecast, traffic conditions, road blockages, etc. You can use GPS apps like Google Maps and Waze to plan your routes. Waze also connects you to other drivers and provides real-time information about driving directions, road alerts and traffic that can help you plan your routes efficiently.
If you’re driving during bad weather, stick to major roads. Isolated roads and streets get severely damaged during rainy and snowy conditions—this can damage your car or you might experience unexpected blockages. Moreover, if your car breaks down in some remote area, you may have difficulty finding help. Therefore, always plan and stick to safe and major routes.
Keep all Essentials in Your PCO Car
Even if the sky is clear in the morning, you should still pack all essentials for your PCO journeys and expect delays. This not only helps you but also helps your passengers.
You can pack things like snacks, water bottles, portable chargers, a change of clothes, an umbrella, etc. While you’re at it, ensure your car has an emergency kit too. Here’s what to add to it:
- First aid kit
- Reflective triangles
- Spare tyres
- Car repair tools
- Ice scrapers
Fill Up all Tanks
When driving amidst rain warnings, you never know how long it will take for you to complete your rides. Make sure your fuel and windscreen wash tanks are topped up. Always check your car before starting the day and get the necessary repairs. You don’t want your car to break down in the middle of nowhere when it’s raining.
Look Out for Other Vehicles
It’s possible to not have a clear view of the road when driving during rainy or foggy conditions. Make sure to look out for other vehicles and keep a safe distance between your car and other motorists. Moreover, large vehicles like trucks or trailers have less control and are susceptible to heavy winds and rain. If you’re passing by a heavy vehicle, keep in mind that it can accidentally move into your lane. Drive defensively and always maintain a distance to prevent incidents.
Switch to a Better Car
Likely, your old car may not be equipped to deal with these harsh weather conditions. Frequent repairs and maintenance can put a dent in your income, so it’s best to rent an equipped car for PCO driving. Modern electric cars have several built-in safety features that keep you on the road even during difficult times. Their seats are spacious and comfortable, so you can even wait in your car if the weather gets bad in the middle of your shift.
You can rent a PCO car from G&M Direct Hire. It’s a leading PCO car hire company in London offering a wide range of modern, tech-savvy and comfortable hybrid and electric vehicles. Their fleet is approved by rideshare apps like Uber and Bolt. The company offers free servicing and maintenance and makes sure all their cars are rainy/snowy-weather ready. Some of their popular PCO cars include Kia e-Niro, Toyota Prius, and Nissan Leaf. Explore their cars here or contact them for details.
I like to read and write about current affairs, investment opportunities and health related topics.
