With the rainy season upon us, drivers are being cautioned about the rising number of accidents attributed to faulty brakes on slippery roads. It's important to ensure that your vehicle's brakes are in good condition before hitting the road, especially during inclement weather.
The Department for Transport's most recent road collision data indicates that faulty brakes contributed towards 39% of the total collisions, the most of all the defects, in the "vehicle defects" category for cars. Last year, over 300 collisions in the UK were caused by defective brakes, a 12% increase from 2021. This rise is concerning, especially with wetter weather bringing in poorer road conditions.
According to the Highway Code, drivers are obligated to ensure their cars comply with The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations Act, which mandates that cars must maintain their brakes to the standard at which they are manufactured. Dan Jones, Operations Manager at DrivingExperience.com, urged motorists to get their brakes regularly checked by professionals and not to delay replacing them if advised.
"All of the data is pointing to a concerning upward trend over the past two years, with defective brakes causing more accidents now than at any point in the last five years.
"As we move into the wetter weather, it's more important than ever to consider the safety of your car, not just for yourself, but for others too. We advise motorists to regularly get their brakes checked by professionals and not put off replacing them if advised."
"Wet roads can double the stopping distance of your car, so if you know your brakes are faulty, don't take the risk by still driving your car."
It's more important than ever to consider the safety of your car, not just for yourself but for others, too. Wet roads can double your car's stopping distance, so it's crucial to ensure that your brakes are working correctly. If a driver were to cause a collision due to the poor state of their brakes, they could be fined up to £5,000 or even charged with careless or dangerous driving if their collision causes a death, which currently carries a maximum 14-year sentence.
If you're interested in learning more about how to drive safely, you can visit our dedicated Driving Lessons page today to browse and book from its complete selection of Driving Lesson packages, including our Safer Driving Course.
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