| As the year draws to a close, many will remember | | | | delays, stopping distances are greatly increased even |
| the serious floods which affected many parts of | | | | in the rain and the roads may be busier than usual. |
| England and Wales during the summer. With the | | | | Where visibility is poor due to darkness or fog it's |
| possibility of more adverse weather to come, there | | | | sensible to drive slower and be very aware of your |
| are many preparations which may help make periods | | | | surroundings; and during school holidays watch out |
| of bad weather less unpleasant and reduce the risks | | | | carefully for children, who may run or cycle into the |
| to you and your property; but with Christmas and other | | | | road. Never drive tired - delayed reactions can be |
| concerns at the forefront of most people's minds, | | | | extremely dangerous. Remember that if you run into |
| these often go overlooked. | | | | seriously bad fog, snow or flooding, it's possible to get |
| A recent study by the Highways Agency found that | | | | stuck for longer than you planned along your route, so |
| over half of drivers would choose to go ahead with | | | | it makes sense to be prepared by packing spare |
| car journeys regardless of severe weather warnings, | | | | warm clothes and boots in the car along with the |
| with a third admitting that they would not check their | | | | spare tyre, and even some snacks, water and money. |
| vehicle or route before setting out. Failure to take the | | | | Finally, it's important to be prepared for eventualities |
| weather into account in this way can have disastrous | | | | such as black ice and skidding, and this is particularly |
| consequences, and there are plenty of simple | | | | essential for younger and less experienced drivers or if |
| precautions which can save you strife later on. | | | | you've recently got a new vehicle. If you're not |
| Before setting out, you should always be sure that | | | | confident about driving with low visibility or about |
| your car has been recently serviced and the MOT is | | | | knowing what to do in emergencies, think about getting |
| up to date at the beginning of winter, in good time | | | | advice or training from a more experienced driver and |
| bearing in mind that service centres and shops will be | | | | don't drive if you don't have to: 'better safe than sorry' |
| closed over the holiday period. Check that all lights, | | | | is the watchword here. |
| including fog lights, are clean and working, top up levels | | | | You may also want to consider taking a Pass Plus |
| of oil, water and screenwash and add antifreeze to | | | | course, aimed at new drivers, which can take just six |
| the radiator. The battery and tyres should also be | | | | hours and includes modules on driving at night and in all |
| checked at this stage - it's especially important to have | | | | weathers. Apart from boosting your confidence and |
| a good tyre tread depth in wet or snowy conditions. | | | | driving skills, Pass Plus can give you a good discount |
| When planning a journey, remember that it's likely to | | | | on car insurance - which, of course, should be one of |
| take longer than usual in bad weather. Apart from the | | | | the first things you make sure is up to date before you |
| possibility of icy or snowy roads or accidents causing | | | | drive, regardless of the conditions. |