Winter Driving
Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again when we dig out the winter coats and woolly hats, put the heating back on and prepare for the winter season. It also the time of year we have to consider the potential for hazardous driving conditions and prepare our vehicles for what may lie ahead.
Driving in the winter can be very different than at other times of the year. Adverse weather and longer periods of darkness makes driving more hazardous. Sometimes conditions can be extreme, with prolonged periods of heavy snow and floods. The geography of our local area means that a single journey can take us into very different weather conditions even just over the distance of a few miles. This means that we need to adapt the way we drive to the conditions.
Some of us may have little experience of driving in extreme conditions, such as snow, so take some time to consider how it affects your driving. Don't just drive as normal.
In very bad conditions, avoid driving completely, unless you absolutely have to make the journey and driving is the only option.
Prepare your vehicle
It’s a good idea to have your vehicle fully serviced before winter starts and have the anti-freeze tested. If you can’t have it serviced, then do your own checks. In particular, check:
- Lights are clean and working
- Battery is fully charged
- Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean and the washer bottle filled with winter screen wash
- Tyre condition, tread depth and pressure (of all the tyres, including the spare)
- Brakes are working well
- Fluids are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash (to the correct concentration to prevent it freezing), anti-freeze and oil
It’s also a good idea to stock up on de-icer, windscreen wash, oil and anti-freeze at the start of winter.
Emergency Kit
When extreme weather is possible, keep an emergency kit in your car, especially if you’re going into rural areas. If this seems unnecessary, take a moment to imagine yourself stranded in your car overnight, due to a snow storm or floods. How would you stay warm? What would you eat and drink?
If you must drive in these conditions, consider carrying:
- A shovel and de-icing equipment
- Warm boots
- A hazard warning triangle and first aid kit
- A working torch
- Warm clothes and Emergency Rations (including hot drink in a flask)
- Mobile Phone (fully charged)
Prepare your journey
Listen to local/national weather broadcasts and travel bulletins. As conditions can change rapidly, check them regularly and be prepared to change your plans if conditions worsen.
If conditions are very bad, and the emergency services are recommending that people don’t travel, then avoid making your journey unless it is absolutely necessary. Can you postpone your trip? Can you travel by other means, or avoid the need for the journey completely by using the phone or email?
Of course, what’s ‘essential’ to one person may not be to another; we each have to make our own decisions according to our circumstances. But, try to be realistic about which journeys are essential and which ones could be postponed. Always tell someone where you are going and when you anticipate arriving. Ensure you have plenty fuel or battery charge for the journey.