| The British winter can make driving a hazardous | | | | Driving in snow and ice can be a perilous activity. |
| endeavor. Weather conditions can quickly and often | | | | Unexpected snow is very dangerous. It means that |
| do turn nasty. From the low grey skies which inhibit | | | | the road gritters will not have been called out and that |
| visibility to the frosted morning roads which cause your | | | | the roads remain ungritted. Once gritted you should find |
| car to lose traction. | | | | that there is enough grip for careful driving. |
| When the weather is severe the simple and often | | | | If you do find yourself driving in snow or when there is |
| quoted advice is to stay at home. However in the | | | | ice on the road this is what you should do. |
| modern age of the car this advice is not so easy to | | | | Avoid turning the steering wheel suddenly or sharply. |
| realize. | | | | Accelerate smoothly and gradually. |
| You can however take precautions, which will help | | | | Slow down and avoid sudden braking. You should use |
| both you and your car deal with the worst the Great | | | | the engine brake (changing down into lower gears) as |
| British weather can throw at you. | | | | well as the brake pedal. This will help you avoid locking |
| Firstly as winter approaches take time to inspect the | | | | the wheels. If the wheels do lock-up it is likely that your |
| condition of your car. | | | | car will slide out of control. If this happens you should |
| Tyres should be checked for adequate tread. The | | | | release the brake pedal to help the wheels regain |
| legal requirement is a 1.6mm tread depth but in wintry | | | | traction. Then brake, gently and gradually whilst |
| conditions it is safer to have 3mm | | | | changing into the low gears. |
| Check front and rear lights to make sure all are | | | | Create more distance between you and the vehicle in |
| working and that the plastic covers are clean. | | | | front. In can take up to 10 times longer to stop in icy |
| If your cars battery is sluggish starting then replace it. | | | | conditions. |
| Cold, frosty mornings can be cruel to failing car battery. | | | | Use higher gears as this will help prevent wheel spin. |
| Check you windscreen washer reservoir is full and | | | | Statistically driving in fog is the most dangerous road |
| contains a quality non freezing screen wash | | | | condition in the UK. If the fog is really bad then it is |
| concentrate. Also check the condition of your wipers. | | | | advisable to pull over, park somewhere safe and wait |
| These will need to be in tiptop condition if your | | | | for the fog to lift. If however you find yourself driving in |
| windscreen is to remain clear. | | | | fog this is what you should do. |
| If your car is due a service then get one | | | | Slow down, dip your headlights and turn on your fog |
| Sensible other precautions include: | | | | lights (if visibility is less than 100 metres). |
| Buy a screen wiper and a can de-icier and keep them | | | | Keep alert. If you suddenly find the fog clearing don't |
| in your car. | | | | think the danger has gone away. Fog is often patchy |
| Make sure you keep as full a tank of petrol as you | | | | going from a mist to a dense impenetrable fog within |
| can. On British roads during the winter long delays are | | | | seconds. |
| not uncommon. Running out of fuel in such conditions | | | | Use your windscreen wipers and demisters |
| can be dangerous. | | | | Beware of other road users who are not using their |
| Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged. | | | | headlights and fog lights. |
| If the weather turns bad whilst driving listen to the local | | | | British weather during the winter months is |
| radio station to get the latest travel news. | | | | unpredictable. Bad weather can appear quickly and |
| Check your car insurance policy. Are you covered for | | | | suddenly. The best advice may well be to stay off the |
| damage caused by severe weather? For example | | | | road. However, if you must drive then make sure you |
| many car insurance policies don't pay out if your car | | | | are prepared for and respect the conditions. |
| suffers damage due to flooding. | | | | |