Be a Better, Safer Driver - Winter Hazards
Reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces make winter driving particularly hazardous. Good road observation is essential so that you can interpret conditions accurately and adjust your speed accordingly. If you drive too fast on a slippery or wet road surface your tyre grip will be substantially reduced and the risk of skidding increased.
| • Consider this... | • 15 tips for safer motorway driving |
Your risk of skidding also increases if your tyres do not have an adequate depth of tread. The legal minimum tread depth for cars and light vehicles in the UK and EU is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre tread width and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre. If you are unsure about the tread depth of your tyres, get them checked by professionals. Did you know that having faulty tyres could cost you up to £2,500 - per tyre! You should also have the correct tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres will increase your fuel consumption - to be avoided if making a long journey in snow! Over inflated tyres will reduce your grip on the road making it imperative that you reduce your speed. Tyre pressure should be checked every two weeks and after every journey you make in cold weather as the warming up of cold tyres on even short journeys can raise the pressure. Smooth control is another essential element of safer winter driving. You should always aim to brake, steer and change gear as smoothly as possible so as not to affect the grip of your tyre on the road surface. As always, better, safer driving, especially in poor weather, is about good preparation, good self-maintenance, good vehicle maintenance, the right knowledge and the right attitude.
Rescue Equipment
In winter you should always carry the following:
| In the Boot | In the Car |
|---|---|
|
|
Winter weather hazards
|
|
| Drive slowly and take care. |
Stuck in snow?
Move slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can.
Caught in a snow drift?
If you do get caught in a snow drift
|
|
| Let help come to you. |
Consider this...
- Different weather conditions can lead to a variety of different hazards throughout the seasons and from region to region.
- Extreme weather conditions, either very hot or very cold, will show up any deficiencies in both driver and vehicle.
- The best thing to do in extremely bad weather is to stay off the road. Take heed of warnings not to go out. This leaves the emergency services free to deal with real emergencies instead of rounding up stranded motorists.
- The biggest single danger to any driver is being unable to see properly.
- You won't be able to make the right decisions if you can't see the road clearly.
- Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions. An accident involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are driving too close to one another.
- Braking on an icy or snow covered bend is extremely dangerous. The centrifugal force will continue to pull you outwards and the wheels will not grip very well. This could cause your vehicle to spin.
- During wintry weather, road surfaces become frost and ice covered, but not always uniformly. Isolated patches and certain gradients remain iced up when other parts have thawed out. The good driver should be on the look out for these areas.
15 tips for safer motorway driving
First of all, answer Yes or No to these few questions:
- Are you aware of the motoring hazards of winter weather?
- Have you ever risked driving in heavy snow or thick fog?
- Do you know how to cope with a skid?
- Will you get your car serviced before the winter starts?
- Do you always carry rescue equipment in the winter?
- Have a full service before winter starts and have the anti-freeze tested.
- Check tyres regularly (at least every 2 weeks) and keep them properly inflated. Make sure you have the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Check tyres after even short journeys on cold days.
- Check that your lights are clean and working. Fit high density fog lights.
- Always keep the windscreen and windows clean and the washer bottle filled with screenwash.
- Carry rescue equipment throughout the winter.
- Before making any journey, listen to the news and weather broadcasts. If conditions are very bad, avoid making the journey unless it is absolutely necessary.
- If you do decide to travel in very bad weather, always let someone know where you are going and what time you 'hope' to arrive, so that the alarm can be raised if you get into difficulties.
- Eat a good breakfast when you know you will be travelling in bad weather - but don't eat immediately before driving.
- Stop every 2 hours, if you can, for fresh air and hot drinks - but no alcohol.
- Keep your vehicle well ventilated. The car heater full on can make you drowsy.
- Make sure you know and understand the hazards and risks of all types of weather conditions, especially ice, snow and fog - before you venture out.
- Always reduce your speed on slippery surfaces. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration.
- Always increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front in poor conditions. Your tyre grip will not be as good and it will take longer to brake. Allow up to TEN TIMES the normal distance for braking, especially on motorways.
- In snow, stop frequently to clean the glass area, the wheel arches, the lights and number plates. KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN
Take care if you answered 'No' to any of the above questions other than number 2. Safer winter driving relies on both you and your vehicle being in good condition. You also need to know what the hazards are and how to reduce the risks of skidding. Do remember that the Emergency Services have better things to do than to rescue stranded motorists who should have heeded the weather warnings.
|
RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
 |