New study reveals how driver’s reaction times are impacted in adverse weather conditions – you might be surprised

To unveil just how much of an impact weather can have on reaction times, comparethemarket.com created a quiz that gave drivers the opportunity to test their reactions while driving in various weather conditions. From snow to sun glare, it seems every type of weather brings its own set of challenges that drivers must contend with.

Having put the quiz in front of 1,000 drivers, comparethemarket.com discovered that it takes drivers 75% longer to spot a hazard while driving in thick fog as opposed to clear weather. Snow impacts reaction times by 34%, torrential rain affects response times by 30%, and sun glare by 13%.

Commenting on the findings, Dan Hutson, head of motor insurance at comparethemarket.com, said:

Having a quick reaction time is key to being a responsible driver, and you need to be aware of the conditions around you and be able to respond to them in time. It’s interesting to see from our research that drivers have different reaction times depending on the weather condition, with fog and snow affecting them the most.

“The Highway Code sets out in its advice for driving in bad weather, that – you should make sure you’ve always got time to react to a potential hazard by keeping your distance from the car in front. Tailgating is illegal and should never be done in any weather condition, but you should always allow for bigger gaps between you and the car in front of you in more difficult weather conditions.

“It’s also important to carry out correct vehicle checks before setting off on a long journey and make frequent stops too. Another tip is to have regular eye checks to ensure you meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving.”

To take part in the driving weather quiz, and for tips on how to best prepare for driving during a spell of bad weather, head over to: https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/driving-in-bad-weather/