| SWINTON WARNS MOTORISTS TO ACCLIMATISE TO
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| | more care when extreme weather conditions
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| MONSOON CONDITIONS
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| | are forecast or occurring.
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| Leading high street broker issues
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| | "We have seen a significant rise in minor
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| "Monsoon Motoring Mantra" to
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| | accidents where we believe thatthe rain
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| combatextreme weather dangers.
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| | impaired stopping speeds and reaction
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| The increasing frequency of freak weather
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| | times. The problem is that Britishdrivers
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| conditions in Britain has led to a rashof
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| | are not used to travelling in these
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| car accidents, and car insurance claims,
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| | sub-tropical conditions which
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| caused by drivers failing to
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| | unfortunatelyappear to be happening more
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| respondquickly to sudden downpours.
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| | frequently."
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| Leading high street car insurance broker,
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| | Swinton has now produced a "Monsoon
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| Swinton, is advising UK drivers, most of
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| | Motoring Mantra", which it is advising
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| whom are not used to extreme
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| | drivers to adhere to:
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| weatherconditions, to take extra care.
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| | · Switch on headlights
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| The move comes as Swinton reports an 8
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| | · Check wipers are effective front and
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| per centrise in motor accident insurance
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| | back
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| claims during the recent round of
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| | · Avoid overtaking
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| deluges.
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| | · Slow down, using a lower gear if
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| Monsoon-type rain is a particular
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| | appropriate
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| problem, with sudden torrential downpours
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| | · Keep wing mirrors clean so that rain
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| causinglocalised flooding and with it, a
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| | water drips clear
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| flood of claims. Gusting winds are also a
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| | · Keep your mobile phone to hand
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| problemat this time of year, bringing
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| | · Listen to weather updates
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| down trees and power lines.
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| | · Pack water-proof clothes in case of
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| Swinton believes that an increase in
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| | breakdown
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| motorinsurance claims is caused by
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| | · Ensure inside windscreens are
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| motorists driving too quickly, and
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| | grease-free and so they don't steamup
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| respondingtoo slowly, to the sudden loss
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| | · Plan unfamiliar routes and identify
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| of visibility and the rapid build-up of
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| | places to pull over such as
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| road waterduring tropical downpours,
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| | servicestations
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| resulting in minor accidents.
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| | · Make sure tyres are regularly checked
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| The Swinton warning echoes a similar call
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| | for tread and pressure
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| from researchers at Newcastle
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| | · Stop vehicle in very poor visibility
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| Universityin September, who said that
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| | and apply hazard lights
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| extreme rainfall events have become more
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| | In the last month alone torrential rain
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| frequentand intense over a 40-year period
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| | and heavy thunderstorms raged across the
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| in Britain. They said the examination of
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| | UK. Extensive flash flooding was reported
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| weatherrecords from 1961-2000 proved
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| | across the regions, with Devon, Cornwall,
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| further evidence of climate change
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| | Somerset, Wales and the north west
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| occurring.
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| | particularly badly hit. Two women had to
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| Swinton Marketing Director, Nick Bowyer,
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| | berescued from their cars after they
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| warned: "Monsoon rain conditionsare now a
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| | became trapped in their vehicles because
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| reality in the UK. They can occur with
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| | offlooding in east Devon.
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| frightening immediacy. Driversmust take
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