Winter driving tips
Our weather can be very unpredictable, and if the past few years are anything to go by Winters are getting worse. To prepare you for Winter driving, follow our safety tips:
- Be prepared – carry extra clothing, blankets, tow rope, mobile phone and torch in case of breakdown.
- Check your car – clean lights, top up your screen wash and check antifreeze levels.
- Check your tyres – the greater the tread depth, the safer. Correct pressures are also vital for grip. At least 4mm of tread is recommended as minimum in Winter*.
- Clear vision – remove ice/snow and wait for windows to clear before setting off.
- Take your time – going too fast in poor weather or road conditions is one of the main causes of fatal accidents**.
- Stopping distances are doubled on wet roads and up to 10 times longer in snow or ice*. Keep your distance.
- Don’t drive through flood water – but if you have to, check its depth, drive slowly in first or second gear keeping the revs high to prevent stalling. Check your brakes afterwards before resuming speed and use gentle short braking actions to help dry them.
- Skids can occur when the tyre tread is poor or the tyre is moving too fast to flush water from the road beneath it, rising up on the film of water without being able to grip. Ease off power.
- Always use gentle manoeuvres and a steady speed. Apply the brakes gently.
- Remember that fog can also make roads wet, slippery or icy.
