With the clocks going back and the first frosts having arrived, it looks as if winter is just around the corner. Mycompanyfleet thought it seemed like a good time to remind drivers of the added perils of driving at this time of year and the do’s and don’ts of winter driving.
Winter is a busy time for breakdown companies, insurance call centres and casualty departments. Drivers often have to contend with ice, fog, snow, salt spray and low sun all in a single journey. According to ROSPA, the road safety charity, staying safe on the roads in winter is a matter of good preparation, good vehicle maintenance, the right knowledge and the right attitude.
Your car
- Keep tyres properly inflated. Make sure you have the legal minimum tread depth 1.6mm
- Check that your lights are clean and working
- Always keep the windscreen and windows clean and the washer bottle filled with screen wash
- Carry winter essentials in the car: cloths, spare washer fluid, antifreeze, glass cleaner, ice scraper, de-icer and torch. In really bad weather put a blanket, Wellington boots and a shovel in the boot
Journey
- Listen to the weather broadcast and only travel if necessary when really bad conditions are forecast
- Eat a good breakfast when you know you will be travelling in bad weather and carry spare food and drink in case you are snowed in
- Stop every two hours, if you can, for fresh air and a hot drink
- Keep your vehicle well ventilated. Driving with the car heater on full can make you drowsy
Driving
- Make sure you know and understand the hazards and risks of driving in all types of weather conditions, especially ice, snow and fog – before you venture out
- Always fully clear your windscreen and side windows of ice and condensation before driving off – NEVER merely clear a small “porthole” in the windscreen
- Always reduce your speed on slippery surfaces. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration
- Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front in poor conditions
- Allow up to TEN TIMES the normal distance for braking, especially on the motorway
- In snow, stop frequently to clean the glass area, the wheel arches, the lights and number plates
- If your driven wheels get stuck in snow, move slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can
When roads are icy or slushy
- It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road. Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
- Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
- Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.
- To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
- If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.
Watch out for fog
- Watch out for fog – it drifts rapidly and is often patchy.
- In foggy conditions, drive very slowly using dipped headlights.
- Use fog-lights if visibility is seriously reduced, but remember to switch them off when visibility improves.
- Don’t hang on to the tail-lights of the vehicle in front. This gives you a false sense of security and means you may be driving too close.
- Don’t speed up suddenly, even if it seems to be clearing. You can suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.
Winter sun
- Dazzle from winter sun can be dangerous. Keep a pair of sunglasses handy.
Rain
In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads. This is because your tyres have less grip on the road. In wet weather:
- You should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This will increase your ability to see and plan ahead.
- If steering becomes unresponsive, it probably means the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road. Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.
- The rain and spray from vehicles may make it difficult to see and be seen.
Flooded roads
- Don’t attempt to cross if the water seems too deep.
- Drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling.
- Avoid the deepest water, usually near the kerb.
- Remember – test your brakes when you are through the flood before you drive at normal speed.
If you get caught in a snow drift
- Don’t leave the vehicle
- Let help come to you
- Don’t run the engine to keep warm.
More information
The following websites offer a wide range of tips, advice and information on driving safety and keeping within the law.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents: www.rospa.org.uk
Think! Road Safety campaign: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
BRAKE: www.brake.org.uk
Driving Standards Agency: www.dsa.gov.uk
Department for Transport: www.dft.gov.uk
For more details on winter driving, please contact Business Manager Andrew Leech on 07939 509273 or email: andrew.leech@mycompanyfleet.co.uk
