A motoring boss has issued a warning to motorists as the UK endures a blistering heatwave this week.
The AA said drivers could see gritters out on some roads this week with the potential for surfaces to soften or become sticky under the heat, with heavy traffic even causing them to rut in some places.
A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of the UK, where record-breaking temperatures could reach up to 40C.
Britons have been warned of possible danger to life, with the UK Health Security Agency also issuing red heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West.
The heatwave could bring disruptions to rail, road and air travel with National Rail advising travellers to check their journeys in advance.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “The main risk for drivers is not that the road suddenly ‘melts’ everywhere, but that patches can become tacky or uneven. That can affect braking, steering and grip, especially for motorcyclists and cyclists, and can also throw up loose material.
“If drivers come across a softened or damaged surface, they should slow down, avoid harsh braking or steering, and leave extra space from the vehicle in front.”
The AA also warned that heat can put extra strain on vehicles, with under-inflated, damaged or old tires particularly likely to fail in hotter conditions.
“Before a long journey, check tyre pressures, tread and sidewalls, and carry water in case you are delayed,” Mr King said.
“In these temperatures the advice remains never to leave passengers or animals unattended in parked cars even for short periods when the interior of the car can soon get as hot as an oven.”
The Met Office’s red weather warning, which stretches from London across to Somerset and Swansea and up towards Birmingham, comes into force at 9am on Wednesday and will be lifted at 9pm on Thursday.
Sweltering heat is expected until at least Thursday, with the Met Office expecting the record for the hottest June temperature, which currently stands at 35.6C, to be broken.
“An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely,” the weather agency said.
