When the road surface becomes soft in very hot weather, the thing that is most directly affected is tyre grip, which in turn affects how well you can brake and steer.

Quick Scoop

In very high temperatures, the bitumen in asphalt or tarmac can soften, making the surface slightly pliable instead of firm and rigid. This softer surface reduces how effectively tyres can interlock with the tiny roughness of the road, so overall grip goes down, especially when braking or cornering.

As grip falls, braking distances increase and it becomes easier to skid if you brake harshly, turn sharply, or drive too fast for the conditions. Drivers are advised to take extra care with speed, following distance, and cornering on very hot days because tyres cannot grip a soft surface as well as a firm, dry one.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.