WE 4 YOU
ASTM/SIAS Motorway Operators have extensively adopted the latest technologies to guarantee users' safety and comfort. In fact, most of the motorways that we operate are covered with draining/noise-absorbing asphalt apt to reduce noise and improve road safety.
A wrong belief, widespread among users, is that draining asphalt allows to drive at higher speeds in full safety in case of rainfalls.
Watch out! IT'S FALSE!! Draining asphalts improve safety because they prevent the so called aquaplaning effects and reduce the quantity of water splashed by the vehicles before, thereby improving visibility. However, don't be mistaken! Draining asphalt-covered ROAD SURFACES ARE WET even though you have less difficulties than on a traditional, wet asphalt. Consequently, reduce your speed.
Wet carriageways are the scene of a very high percentage of accidents, even with draining asphalt cover.
When?
In case of rain and on wet asphalt.
What?
Observe speed limits and remember that the maximum limit has been set forth for ideal conditions of traffic and visibility. Because you're the one who can best assess the local conditions you encounter, you must behave accordingly and avoid any behaviour that could generate dangers or problems on the road, so to safeguard road safety in any case. The Road Code already provides for a reduction in speed limits in case of rainfalls. In such cases, motorway speed limits can never exceed 110 km/h, even in the presence of draining asphalt cover. Remember that this is a limit. You should adjust your speed and even reduce it more than what prescribed according to traffic conditions and other local and environmental elements.
Why?
Although, in case of rain, draining asphalt is able to prevent aquaplaning effect and improving visibility and driving comfort significantly, its tyre grip is as limited as on traditional wet asphalt, i.e. lower than on dry roadbed.
Road Code
ART. 140 (PRINCIPIO INFORMATORE DELLA CIRCOLAZIONE)
ART. 141 (VELOCITÀ)
ART. 142 (LIMITI DI VELOCITÀ)
Road code implementation regulations
ART. 343 (LIMITAZIONI TEMPORANEE DI VELOCITÀ)
ART 344 (LIMITAZIONI PERMANENTI DI VELOCITA’)
ART. 345 (APPARECCHIATURE E MEZZI DI ACCERTAMENTO DELLA OSSERVANZA DEI LIMITI DI VELOCITÀ)