10 tips for Winter Driving
Driving during winter can be a challenge even for experienced drivers, especially when snow and ice are involved. Here are 10 winter driving tips to keep you safe!
Check your tyres- Your grip will be seriously reduced in the winter, so ensuring your tyres are in good condition is essential. Whilst law requires you to have your tread depth at a minimum of 1.6mm, grip starts to reduce on anything under 3mm, so make sure you keep an eye on your tyres and replace them if needed. Consider winter tyres if your budget allows.
Check your lights- The winter doesn't only see us hit with cold weather, we also see the days getting much shorter which means you'll be using your lights much more. Before setting off on every journey check all your lights are working correctly
keep your distance- your stopping distance on snow and ice increases significantly from what it usually is. Make sure you keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front
Take your time- the last thing any driver wants to be is in a rush. Add in wintery conditions, and a lack of experience on the road and waiting until the last minute to leave will cause you so much unnecessary stress.
Black ice- the two words that will strike fear into the hearts of many motorists- Black ice! it's invisible on the roads, but potentially deadly. it makes driving a worrying event and its incredibly difficult to identify and therefore avoid. The most obvious advice here is that if you're driving take it slow and steady
Recovering from a skid- If you do end up hitting some black ice, there are things you can do to recover from it! When you lose control of the car, keep both hands on the wheel and avoid braking. You should also try steer into the skid
Prepare for rain, wind and fog- it's not just snow and ice we have to deal with in the winter- heavy rain, win and fog also make an appearance, and can make driving just as difficult. Our best tip would be to keep your speed down, keep calm and keep both of your hands on the wheel.
Carrying a breakdown kit- keeping the essentials in your car should it breakdown may not be a priority, but you'll thank yourself if you do find yourself at the side of a road with a car that doesn't work
Is your journey essential- this is one to consider especially when the weather conditions are really bad?
Keep your fuel topped up- Any other time of year, you may be a bit careless when it comes to how much fuel you have in your tank. but running out of fuel and breaking down in winter is much more hazardous than doing so in the summer! Keep your tank topped up to at least halfway so you're not left out in the cold!