Every year, after we have failed to have the “hottest summer on record”, we are threatened with the “coldest winter”. The ice and snow may or may not come, but as a driver, it is important that you know how to drive safely on icy roads.
1. Prep your vehicle – before you leave, make sure that visibility is 100% clear. Tempting as it may be to turn the windscreen heaters on full and make do until frost clears, try to leave home a few minutes early so you can de-ice and scrape and, if necessary, clear any ice or snow from your vehicle before you head off.
2. Be cautious – drive slowly and cautiously until you have a good feel of the road conditions. If you need to slow down or stop, give yourself extra time and brake cautiously to avoid skidding.
3. The ten second rule – we’ve all heard of the two second rule, but when you are driving on icy roads, you need to leave at least an 8 – 10 second gap between you and the vehicle in front.
4. Smooth Steering – to reduce the risk of skidding, steer smoothly, avoiding sudden moves and switching lanes.
5. Be vigilant – when the roads are icy, you need to be more aware of potential hazards ahead, so that you can gently brake in time.
6. Control your skid – if you do feel yourself skidding, don’t panic (we know, that is easier to say than do)! Ease your foot off the accelerator, but don’t hit the brakes yet. Slowly steer against the skid and apply the brakes only when you have control of your vehicle.
7. Maintain visibility – have your lights on to help other drivers to see you but don’t use full beam as it will reflect off frosty or snowy surfaces and could dazzle you and other drivers.
8. Clear your windscreen and bulbs – condensation, frost and salt from gritted roads can build up on bulbs and windscreens – keep your demisters and windscreen wipers on and make sure that your bulbs and windscreens are cleaned.
9. Check your tyres – cold weather requires a slightly higher tyre pressure – make sure that yours is correct by checking your vehicle manual or contacting a local garage.
10. Change down a gear – you can improve traction and prevent skidding by using a lower gear when you are going up hills or turning.
11. Watch the shadows – if the sun has melted ice on the roads, don’t assume that all of the roads are clear – be especially careful of sheltered areas that have yet to have the sun on them as they are likely to still be icy. Adjust your speed accordingly on sheltered bends, tunnels and bridges.
The most important thing to remember when driving on icy roads is to be careful. No matter how late you are, how confident a driver, if you hit black ice, your age or experience will make little difference. If the road conditions are extremely bad, think twice before making your journey.
To make sure that your car is ready for winter, find a trusted local garage here.
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