Guest Post by Nicola Lumb

For many of us, winter ‘tis the season to be jolly, but it is also the season to exercise a lot of caution on the roads. In winter you don’t just need to be careful of the immediate dangers of ice and snow; you also need to make sure your vehicle stays on form as cold weather can play havoc with your car. In this article we’ll give you all the winter driving hints and tips you need to stay safe once the cold weather rolls in.

How to Avoid Breaking Down in Cold Weather
Breakdowns are far more common in cold conditions. This is because we require far more from our machines in the winter. With heaters, wipers and lights in use almost constantly, your car battery is likely to take a serious battering – especially if the roads are clogged and slow due to tricky driving weather.

If you do break down in cold weather, the results can be a lot more dangerous than in warmer months. There is likely to be less visibility on the road and you will get colder faster whilst waiting to be rescued. If you are travelling anywhere in winter, make sure you keep blankets and hi-vis jackets in the car with you – this will keep you safe and warm until help arrives!

To help avoid this eventuality in the first place, make sure you take good care of your battery. Here’s how:

• Ensure your battery is replaced every 5 years

• Ensure your car has been serviced recently

• Use your heater sparingly. Use as much as you need, but no more than that!

• Switch off all unneeded electricals before turning your engine on to save battery

How to Maintain Visibility during Winter Driving
Poor visibility is a major cause of accidents during the winter. Mist, ice, fog, condensation, snow, hail, spray and heavy rain can all make seeing what’s coming up on the roads difficult come winter time.

Before you start your journey you need to make sure your windscreen is totally clear. If there is snow on top of your car, make sure you remove it – if it falls during your journey it could obscure your windscreen unexpectedly whist driving. 

Next, clear your mirrors, windshield and windows of any snow or ice. Do not just clear a hole for the driver to see through as this is extremely dangerous.  De-icer and an ice scraper, as well as warm water, will help you clear the ice quickly, allowing you the good visibility you need for driving in testing conditions.

How to Drive in Ice and Snow
Ice and snow are amongst the most treacherous weather conditions for driving in. There are some key things you can do and remember to make the whole situation safer:

• Tyre treadMake sure your tyres are up to winter driving. You’ll need a good 3mm of tread to be safe and anything less than 2mm could be very dangerous. Also ensure your tyre pressure is at the correct level before setting out.

• Use your gears to your advantageIn the winter you should use your gears a little differently. Pull away gently in second gear to reduce wheelspin and use a very low gear when going down hills.

• Take it easy on the brakesOnly use your breaks sparingly, use your gears to slow you down as much as you can. When you do need to break, do so very slowly and very gently, remembering that stopping distance in ice and snow is 10 times the distance required in normal conditions! If you do have to brake suddenly and your vehicle begins to skid, release the brakes and gently put your foot on the clutch, turning your wheel in the direction your car is moving.

• No sudden movementsPerform every manoeuvre in good time. You’ll need to be making your driving decisions early so that you can perform manoeuvres gently and carefully.

• Slow and steadyThe key, of course, is to travel as slowly as possible. This will give you enough time to take decisions well in advance and will reduce the likelihood of skidding. It will also allow you to stick to the extended stopping distances required. Equally, if you do get into trouble, travelling at a low speed will reduce the damage done.

In the end, the only truly safe course of action is to not drive in snowy or icy conditions. As much as you can, avoid driving in ice or snow. But, if you have no other choice, follow our tips, take it slowly and keep your wits about you this winter.

 About the Author

JMD Law are RTA (Road Traffic Accident) Claim specialists who aim to win you the maximum amount of compensation in the quickest time-frame possible.