Winter can be a challenging time of year for drivers on public roads. Motor vehicles tend to suffer from heightened wear and tear, thanks to a combination of salt on the road surface, and freezing temperatures. There’s also reduced visibility, and longer stopping distances, to contend with.
Reducing the risk posed by winter is often a matter of modifying your driving style, and doing a little bit of planning and preparation. So, what does this really look like?
Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter
To begin with, you’ll want to ensure that the vehicle’s tyres are in good condition. Measure the tread depth. If it’s lower than 1.6mm, then the vehicle is no longer legally roadworthy. But even if it’s less than 4mm, you might experience an increase in stopping distances, and loss of fuel efficiency. You might swap to winter tyres, which tend to hold their shape better and provide extra tread.
There are a few essential items you’ll want to keep to hand. These include a can of de-icer, and an ice scraper for dealing with early-morning window frost.
Planning Your Journey
If you’re going on a long journey during winter, you’ll want to think about the possibility of extreme weather. Check the Met Office website for warnings. Make sure that someone knows where you’re driving, and when you’re expected to arrive. If you’re planning on driving through an area of countryside where flooding or heavy snowfall is likely, it’s often worth planning a different route.
Staying Informed and Prepared
The more you know about the condition of the roads, the better. This is where navigation apps can be extremely helpful – they can provide real-time updates about where the congestion is.
You’ll want to ensure that there’s an emergency kit in your car. This should include a first-aid kit, as well as anything you need to cope with a sudden mechanical failure. Blankets, bottled water, and a toolkit might all be considered essential.
It’s a good idea to keep your car insurance policy updated, and check it to ensure that you’re covered against any problems that relate to the cold weather.
Adapting Your Driving Techniques
Driving effectively and safely during winter is often a simple matter of slowing down. Keep your distance from the vehicle in front, avoid tailgating, and refrain from sudden braking or sharp turns. Modern vehicles come with traction-enhancing features that might be useful when you’re driving in wet and cold weather. Familiarising yourself with them might make the difference when you’re on the road at this time of year!