Short days, long nights, leafless trees, thermal undies and hot water bottles – yep, winter’s here. But while it’s a time to cuddle up and get cosy for some, for drivers, it’s time to reassess both your driving habits and your car’s condition in order to remain safe on the roads.
Having enjoyed a spring, summer and autumn of unchallenging driving conditions, the sudden harshness of winter roads can be a shock. Ice, wind, rain, snow, a car that’s not optimised for winter weather, plus a lax, summer driving style can all turn a safe driving experience into a potentially hazardous one. Therefore, as the cold front creeps in, here are Confused.com’s safe winter driving tips.
Winter Pre-Driving Checks
Consider these safety factors before setting out on winter roads:
Visibility: A cold night can ice up the windows and mirrors outside the car, and fog everything up inside. Therefore, always allow enough time in the morning before you set off to thaw your vehicle thoroughly. Start the car and turn the heater/demister on full, then use an ice scraper to clear the windows all around the car. Also ensure that lights, indicators and windscreen wipers aren’t covered in ice and that they’re working properly. Only once you’re happy that you have clear, all-round vision from within the car, is it safe to set off.
Anti-freeze: Add an appropriate anti-freeze agent to the car’s radiator and to the windscreen washer reservoir.
Battery: As flat batteries are most common during the cold, it’s a good idea to make sure the battery is fully charged at the start of winter. Get a mechanic or someone who knows about cars to test the charge, and always carry a set of jump leads in the boot.
Tyres: Winter roads are slippery roads, so it’s vital that your tyres are up to the job of keeping you glued safely to the tarmac. Check tyres for the correct pressure and tread depth, and make sure your car is equipped with a car jack and wheel brace. Also ensure that you have a properly inflated spare tyre that has safe levels of tread in the boot.
Check weather and route: Always check that your intended route isn’t adversely affected by the weather. Listen out for forecasts or check online traffic information before heading out. Wherever possible, stick to major roads that you know will be gritted. Emergency diversions are possible, so keep a map or SatNav handy. Finally, allow extra time for your journey.
Winter Car Equipment
Here’s a list of essentials to keep in your car in case of emergency.
- Mobile phone charger
- Blanket, warm clothes, gloves and boots, in case of breakdown.
- Torch
- Basic tool kit
- First-aid kit
- Car jack and wheel brace
- Jump leads
- If snow’s likely, take a small shovel to help dig your car out
- Map or SatNav
- Ice-scraper
- Anti-freeze
- Sunglasses – this may seem an odd one, but a low, winter sun can be blinding
Safe Driving Tips
You’ve sorted the car for the months ahead, now it’s time to sort yourself. Winter driving requires a lot more concentration and skill than it does when the weather’s fine. Here are a few tips.
Be more aware: Visibility is poorer during the winter, so really keep those eyes peeled for traffic, pedestrians and other hazards. Also, help others by keeping your lights on in poor conditions – though dip, don’t dazzle.
Avoid breaking sharply – a real danger on icy roads. It’s far better to accelerate and break gently during the winter. Never speed, and reduce speed in bad conditions. Also, keep your distance as stopping distances are much longer when it’s wet or icy because the car has less grip.
General safe driving tips: Take corners at lower speeds, apply the brake gently and for longer when decelerating, and should you skid, steer into it. In flood conditions, take puddles slowly and avoid altogether if unsure of the depth. After driving through water, dry out your brakes by gently applying them at low speed as you drive away from the flood.
Finally, make sure your car is protected with adequate car insurance in case of damage, and if you’re worried about what to do if you get stuck or breakdown in adverse weather conditions, check out Confused.com’s winter breakdown tips.
