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Severe weather warning for drivers

HAMPSHIRE motorists have been issued with a severe weather warning today.

Torrential downpours and thundery showers are expected to make driving conditions hazardous and reduce visibility across the south's motorways this afternoon.

Met office experts have advised drivers check weather forecasts in advance with the bad weather expected to last until tomorrow.

A spokesman from the Highways Agency said it can take up to twice as long to stop when the road is wet and called on drivers to slow down when it's raining.

He said: "If your vehicle loses its grip take your foot off the accelerator to slow down. Don't brake or steer suddenly because you will have no control of the steering or brakes.


Check the latest travel news in Southampton

"Surface water may affect motorways and major A roads so we advise drivers to move slowly through any standing water and test their brakes once they're through before continuing to drive."

The Highways Agency is advising drivers to plan their journey, check the weather forecast, road conditions and their route for delays before they leave home and delay travelling if the weather becomes severe.

Drivers are also advised to carry additional clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, a raincoat, a torch, and to make sure they have plenty of fuel for your journey.

Heavy rain is forecast tomorrow and there is a chance of thunder.

2:06pm Friday 16th May 2008

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Posted by: Wills on 2:50pm Fri 16 May 08
'Drivers are also advised to carry additional clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, a raincoat, a torch, and to make sure they have plenty of fuel for your journey.'

What the hell is this? It's a little bit of rain and I have to carry my survival pack? Do I also require a compass, shovel, sleeping bag and Bear Grylls safety hotline number?
Posted by: Wendi, Southampton on 2:55pm Fri 16 May 08
Waether? Eh?
Posted by: lowe and behold, st marys hotseat on 2:55pm Fri 16 May 08
Michael fish from the met office famous last words
"no chance of a storm tonight" sleep well
Posted by: Fred, Bristol on 3:02pm Fri 16 May 08
Wills wrote:
'Drivers are also advised to carry additional clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, a raincoat, a torch, and to make sure they have plenty of fuel for your journey.' What the hell is this? It's a little bit of rain and I have to carry my survival pack? Do I also require a compass, shovel, sleeping bag and Bear Grylls safety hotline number?
Its easy to spot those who drive a lot of miles against those who drive to the shops and back! You are advised to take a "survival pack" on all long motorway journeys. This is simply just in case you end up stuck on the motorway for a long period (such as overnight), maybe due to someone else having an accident.

You only have to go back a few months and look at all the drivers stuck on the M5 for upto 12 hours to see the neccessity.
Posted by: paul b on 3:03pm Fri 16 May 08
Is there any weather for pedestrians this weekend?
Posted by: George on 3:05pm Fri 16 May 08
Are we to expect this sort of "news" every time the weather changes now? Is the advice to check weather forecasts before travelling somehow more applicable now than it was yesterday? Is it only wet weather that's dangerous?

The Highways Agency today issued a statement that it will be nice and sunny, so there is an increased risk of drivers being distracted by saucy young women in short skirts
Posted by: Christoff on 3:16pm Fri 16 May 08
Fred wrote:
Wills wrote: 'Drivers are also advised to carry additional clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, a raincoat, a torch, and to make sure they have plenty of fuel for your journey.' What the hell is this? It's a little bit of rain and I have to carry my survival pack? Do I also require a compass, shovel, sleeping bag and Bear Grylls safety hotline number?
Its easy to spot those who drive a lot of miles against those who drive to the shops and back! You are advised to take a "survival pack" on all long motorway journeys. This is simply just in case you end up stuck on the motorway for a long period (such as overnight), maybe due to someone else having an accident. You only have to go back a few months and look at all the drivers stuck on the M5 for upto 12 hours to see the neccessity.
someone lost their sense of humour?
Posted by: paul b on 3:20pm Fri 16 May 08
Survival pack:

This is what fat people need for their constant taking of food and drink. Have you ever noticed that fat people seem to not be able to go without eating / drinking for more than 1 hour
Posted by: lowe and behold, st marys hotseat on 3:36pm Fri 16 May 08
survival pack containing sarnies,sausage rolls,crisps, chocolates,cream cakes,fizzy drink,survival pack more like heart attack pack
Posted by: lowe and behold is a moron on 3:46pm Fri 16 May 08
Andy wrote:
lowe and behold wrote: im sure all motorists know how to drive in the rain. Thank you for your cr** information thanks daily echo once more total cr** journalism sad mu**ets
Slight over-reaction..? Of course it's unnecessary to take emergency packs, etc.. 99% of the time. We're not driving in the Highlands of Scotland in winter, after all. The rest is just plain common sense. Unfortunately, we are living in a media and news based world which seems to decide that it is their responsibility to supply us with our ability to do anything. If they continue to wrap us in cotton wool, how on earth are people meant to be responsible for themselves..? The best way to learn something is to make the mistake the first time. A simple reminder to... "Drive slower and more responsibly in the rain and leave a bigger gap between You and the vehicle in front" ... will do for most people. Leave us to find out whether we'll get wet, cold and/or hungry. Then we'll really learn the lesson. Thanks.
Surely it would be the people issuing the warning (The Highways Agency and Met Office) rather than the media that should be the target of the rants on here?
Posted by: Shazza on 4:04pm Fri 16 May 08
I'm at work already and left my spare clothing / emergancy pack at home, like a complete idiot. I'm quite worried myself. The choice is to stay at work until the wet weather clears up tommorrow or face it today.

I hope I make it.

If I don't post here again I guess you'll all know my fate.....

If I don't make it never forget me....
Posted by: Harry Remmington, New Forest on 4:08pm Fri 16 May 08
the media that should be the target of the rants on here
for lifting a press release verbatim without having the intelligence to write a concise and common sense version
Posted by: Christoff on 4:12pm Fri 16 May 08
Shazza wrote:
I'm at work already and left my spare clothing / emergancy pack at home, like a complete idiot. I'm quite worried myself. The choice is to stay at work until the wet weather clears up tommorrow or face it today. I hope I make it. If I don't post here again I guess you'll all know my fate..... If I don't make it never forget me....
if you get stuck Shazza, walk around starkers and I'm sure somebody will pick you up...probably not too many Catholic Priests will offer though, apparantly you are not their type.
Posted by: Mad Max, Thunderdome on 5:06pm Fri 16 May 08
George wrote:
Are we to expect this sort of "news" every time the weather changes now? Is the advice to check weather forecasts before travelling somehow more applicable now than it was yesterday? Is it only wet weather that's dangerous? The Highways Agency today issued a statement that it will be nice and sunny, so there is an increased risk of drivers being distracted by saucy young women in short skirts
Where??? Short Skirts??? hang on... it's not down near St Marys or Thornhill is it.... don't want the police asking questions why I am driving down the road so slowly talking to the women in short skirts... "sun's in my eyes officer"
Posted by: ex so'ton, Abingdon on 7:30pm Fri 16 May 08
Weather Forcast for pedestrians: There will be no rain for you at all, just motorists driving very fast through deep puddles and potholes sneering as they go, while giving the pedestrian a good drenching in the meanwhile. Denzil may well end up with an early bath in Chilworth!
Posted by: Ken, Hampshire Motorist on 8:10pm Fri 16 May 08
Cheers for this story, have travelled throughout Hants all day, not a spot of rain anywhere.
Posted by: Meme, soton on 10:25pm Fri 16 May 08
Where do I pee??????????
Posted by: Shazza on 9:31am Sat 17 May 08
Christoff wrote:
Shazza wrote: I'm at work already and left my spare clothing / emergancy pack at home, like a complete idiot. I'm quite worried myself. The choice is to stay at work until the wet weather clears up tommorrow or face it today. I hope I make it. If I don't post here again I guess you'll all know my fate..... If I don't make it never forget me....
if you get stuck Shazza, walk around starkers and I'm sure somebody will pick you up...probably not too many Catholic Priests will offer though, apparantly you are not their type.
I only wish I'd seen this advice before I set off Christoff. Because of the biblical down pour, fire falling from the sky and the plague of Locusts I have only just completed the 30 mile journey.

Survival, without my emergency pack, was only ensured because I had my Swiss army knife with me. I was able to catch and skin a small rabit, skin it and survive on that. Bear Grylles eat your heart out!!

Thanks for the accurate weather related advice Met office and thanks for broadcasting this ever so useful and accurate information Daily Echo.

WELL DONE EVERYOBODY.
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