Richard Turner, the FTA's ighways and traffic advisor, xplained that
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during dry Feather dust, oil and rubber eposits build up on road arfaces, in many cases acting s an 'abrasive polish.
With the first rainfall these eposits mixed with the water 3 produce ''a very effective hbricant between the tyre and le road." More rainfall will rash out the problem.
But in the present condions this effect is going a stage further. Bitumen in the surfacing is being softened up so much by the intense heat that it has bound itself up with the loose dirt.
This mixture fills up all the roughness in the surface and because of its bitumen content it will adhere for some time before it is worn off by traffic.
"The effect," Mr Turner went on, "is to eliminate all the drainage channels which, similar to tyre treads, have been designed to disperse the water and allow a good road to tyre contact.
"Such surfaces, like glass, provide excellent grip when dry, but will be treacherous when wet."
Drivers need to take extra care, particularly on local roads, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings. Bends and junctions where the softened surfaces have been distorted or rippled are also a hazard.