Winter Driving Conditions
How to prepare and drive in snow and icy weather.
By acclaim's news team on 9th December 2011 in News
Winter Driving Conditions.
It would appear that winter is finally coming our way, with this in mind, there are a few things to consider that will help reduce the level of risk these conditions present to motorists.
In winter, especially if the weather doesn’t look good, it is advisable to check the local weather forecast before setting out on your journey. If snow, or ice is forecast, the best advice is; don’t drive unless your journey is essential. Ask yourself this question first.
If you consider that your journey is necessary, it is useful to carry the following items, in case you get stuck, or your vehicle breaks down:
• Windscreen de-icer / ice scraper.
• A torch.
• Warm drink and emergency food.A blanket.
• Warm clothing scarf, boots and gloves, consider a hi-visibility jacket or something similar, plus a blanket.
• A first aid kit.
• A fully charged mobile phone. Put your contact details in your mobile phone under ICE (in case of emergency).
• Jump leads.
• A spade or shovel.
Before setting out:
You should give yourself plenty of time to clear the car of any snow and ice. This includes clearing all your windows so that you can see clearly all around. Clear the snow from the bonnet and roof so that it doesn’t fly off and cause a danger to other road users. Also ensure all lights are clean and free from snow so they can be seen by other road users.
You should also wait and warm your car up until your demister and heater are working well enough to keep the whole of the inside of your windscreen and rear window clear.
When clearing the windscreen, take care not to damage your wiper blades as these may have been frozen to the screen. Never use boiling water to clear the windscreen; you could break the glass. Instead, use water that is barely lukewarm, or even cold, this is still warmer than ice and will start the defrosting process.
Driving in snow
If you find yourself driving in falling, or freshly fallen snow, there are some key safety issues to remember:
You should increase the gap between your vehicle and vehicle in front – the stopping distances can be ten times longer in snow and icy conditions.
If the adverse weather conditions mean that your visibility is in any way reduced, you should use your headlights – this will alert other road users to your presence.
Be prepared to clear your windscreen by hand. Your wipers, even with the aid of the heater, may not be able to sweep the snow clear. If you do need to clear the windscreen by hand, you should stop in a safe place, where possible. It is also a good idea to check your lights and indicators at the same time as they may also need to be cleared. Snow can collect and pack around them, making it difficult for other road users to see you.
Starting off in snow
If you have to stop in snow, it can be difficult to start again. Therefore, it is advisable to leave a bigger gap than usual between you and the vehicle in front. To reduce the chance of wheel-spin, you should use the highest gear possible with light acceleration.
If you experience wheel-spin when you’re starting off in deeper snow, don’t race the engine because the wheels will dig in further. Try to move the car slightly backwards and then forwards out of the rut. Use the highest gear you can to move off.
In these conditions, it’s worthwhile carrying a spade and some old sacks. These can be useful to help you get going when you’re stuck in snow. Snow chains are available which can be fitted over existing wheels and tyres. These will help you avoid getting stuck and also reduce the danger of skidding.
Stopping on snow or ice
If you do need to brake, ensure this is done gently otherwise you risk ‘locking’ the wheels. If the front wheels lock, you cannot steer, meaning you cannot keep yourself out of trouble. They will not help your tyres stay in contact with the road surface in ice or snow.
Summary
Ultimately, if you do find that your journey is necessary, or even unavoidable, it is up to you, the driver, to drive with great care, even if the roads have been treated. Anticipate not only how a change in conditions affects your driving, but also how they affect other road users. Keep in mind that conditions can change very quickly over very short distances. Therefore it is important to stay alert and always be prepared to slow down and, if necessary, stop, to keep yourself and other road users safe.
But please ask yourself the question: Is my journey necessary? Stay safe!
