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We have received information that relates to an experience of using Cruise Control during heavy wet weather and losing control caused by aquaplaning.

Has AA heard of such incidents and has AA any advice to drivers of vehicles with Cruise Control for the use in wet weather.

Dennis

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 18 September 2009

It is not a recommended practice to use cruise control in wet weather. Most driver's manuals covered this point.

The vehicle can't determine the road surface or conditions, cruise control simply ensures the a given speed is maintained.

Cruise control doesn't cause aquaplaning as this report (we have heard of this or a similar story before) suggests. Aquaplaning occurs when the tyre cannot expel water from underneath the tyre fast enough causing it to lose grip.

You may have experienced this briefly when the tyres have hit a particularly deep puddle on the motorway in bad weather.

Remember also, the moment the brake pedal is applied, cruise control is immediately and automatically disengaged and would therefore need to be constantly reset in wet conditions.

For safety we don't recommend drivers rely on cruise control in poor conditions. A driver's attention to road surfaces and conditions is always the number one safety device and it's all the more important when weather is bad.

That said, newer vehicles with traction control and stability control have greatly reduced the possibility of a loss of traction due to cruise control being used inappropriately.

Common sense is key here. Motorists need to understand and minimise the risks by concentrating all the more diligently when the roads are wet.

Cruise control should only be used when conditions allow for a consistent speed in a safe environment.

For more information please read the AA's wet weather driving tips.