Tips for Winter Driving
Tips for handling winter driving.
When the cold weather hits the UK, motorists will need to rely on their winter driving skills, and it's of particular importance drivers are fully aware of tips of a proven history in keeping people safe when they take their cars out on the roads. Motorists must adapt their driving style to the weather if they find themselves driving in conditions such as ice, snow or freezing temperatures. Drivers can also make sure their vehicles are prepared for the onset of winter by checking their battery condition and anti-freeze levels. Transport systems in the UK can be especially vulnerable to winter weather, so there is plenty for drivers to consider to make life much easier on the roads this season.
What you should do
It becomes more important to choose which roads you intend to drive on in advance and to avoid those areas that are likely to be the most affected by inclement weather conditions. Use online maps before setting off in order to work out the worst areas for traffic and avoid places where accidents have taken place. If there's an alternative method of getting to your destination other than driving, then you should consider using it, or even think of staying at home if the journey isn’t completely necessary. If you do have to drive, make sure you keep focused on the road at all times. Look ahead so that you have plenty of opportunities to prepare your steering and speed well in advance and do not have to make potentially dangerous movements at the last moment. The rule of “two seconds to the vehicle in front” should be at least doubled in wet weather, with additional separation distance being particularly important in poor weather conditions that lead to slippery roads where tailgating becomes incredibly dangerous. Heavy rain or fog also has big impact on visibility and you should drive correspondingly slower depending on what you can and cannot see.
What you should not do
You should not be coasting when driving in winter. Always keep your feet on the pedals. It is not advised to brake and then remove your feet from the pedals, you will be safe as long as your inputs remain smooth. It is vitally important that you pay attention to all road signs and markings, which often provide you with crucial information that will make your drive a lot safer. These signs can inform you of the nature of the road surface, the steepness of the road or the speed limit and upcoming distractions, all of which should be paid attention to. You should also never ignore faults such as cracked windscreens, dashboard fault lights and insufficiently charged batteries. Accidents or breakdowns will happen in a vehicle that is not functioning at its optimum regardless of the quality of your driving.
Header image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-holding-the-steering-wheel-of-a-car-w4GZ_pgUAZI
