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Winter
Motoring Guide
- Defrosting
Cars Safely
Winter Motoring
Winter
brings with it a number of
challenges to drivers, and drivers must remember that driving habits
sometimes
have to be adapted to fit in with the conditions. Although nearly all
of us
will take precautions when out walking during winter, drivers often
assume that
because they’re in their car they’re guaranteed safe, and therefore
don’t need
to worry about harsh weather. If you’re likely to be heading out on a
regular
basis during the cold season, here are some tips to help make your
journey
safer:
Is The Journey Essential?
Always
ask yourself if the journey is
essential. If you’ve got to make a long journey home late at night,
consider
staying in a nearby Travelodge. Heavy snow is more likely to hit at
night and
at least by the following day most major roads will have been cleared
of snow.
Working From Home
If
your job allows you to work from
home periodically, you should take advantage of this in extreme winter
weather.
Not only will you save fuel and time, you’ll reduce the risks
associated with
driving in the snow.
Public Transport
Although
public transport is
unpopular in the UK, local councils will make gritting bus routes a
priority.
Similarly train companies carefully maintain rail tracks. Although the
idea of
sharing a cold bus shelter or train platform fills us with dread, these
forms
of transport are generally safer in winter.
Engine Additives
Screen
wash can sometimes freeze, so
add winter screen additives to reduce this. Antifreeze is also
important to
reduce the chances of engine damage. Vehicle handbooks normally tell
owners of
the manufacturer recommended precautions to take, sometimes including a
list of
“recommended” products suited to the vehicle.
Check the forecast
The
Met Office issue extreme weather
warnings even if there’s no actual guarantee, so if you’re heading out
on a
long journey its worth checking first.
Fuel
Running
out of fuel could be
potentially very dangerous. Drivers
should be careful not to let their fuel gauge run too low! Check on a
regular
basis, remembering your car will burn more fuel to keep the heaters
running in
cold weather. Some drivers choose to carry a spare can of fuel in their
boot –
just be sure to keep it secured or you’ll be filling the cabin with
fumes!
Emergency Kit
If
driving long distances, or late in
the day, drivers can be caught out by bad weather. A good emergency kit
could
include warm clothing, a shovel (cars can be caught in heavy snow in a
very
short time), an extra fuel can in the boot and an in-car phone charger.
If
driving along exposed routes then you might consider snow chains for
emergencies. Keeping some waterproof clothing and boots in your car is
also a
good idea.
In
the event of an accident,
emergency services will probably take longer than usual to arrive. Some
drivers
take a foil cape similar to those worn by athletes after a sprint to
help keep
them warm, especially if you need to leave your car.
And,
if you’re meeting someone, let
them know when to expect you. It sounds paranoid to suggest this, but
if you’re
an hour late and nobody knows where you are it might help if you’re
lost or
trapped by snow.
Driving Safely
When
driving on potentially icy roads
try and drive in the highest gear possible. This will reduce the
chances of
your wheels skidding and losing traction. Allow plenty of space between
you
& the car in front, as braking distances are alarmingly longer
in bad
weather.
Remember
that turning at high speeds
guarantees a loss of traction and the likelihood of an unpleasant
encounter
with a crash barrier. In the event of a skid, turn your car in the
direction
that the rear tyres
are skidding, as this should slow the skid and allow
you to regain traction sooner.