by Alex Storey

Created on: March 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 21, 2011

Bad weather, low visibility and poor road conditions equate to a higher risk of accidents and increase in breakdowns, which are not helped by dark, freezing, foggy, icy, wintry conditions.

According to GEM Motoring Assist UK drivers are largely unprepared for winter. In England, an ice scraper or some windshield de-icer is most people's idea of preparing their vehicle!

PREVENTION

Always have a fully charged mobile telephone, charger and spare battery. Keep an ice scraper, de-icer, torch with spare batteries and first aid kit handy.

Carry a fluorescent warning triangle, warm clothing, a tow rope, a sack for wheel grip, boots, jump leads, blankets, snow shovel, winter weather kit, high energy food and drinking water.

Service the vehicle in the autumn. Put anti-freeze in the radiator and screen wash in the water bottle. Test the battery's strength, hold snow chains and carry a high visibility jacket.

Chewing gum improves concentration, and a recent Optigrip tire test shows evidence of the new tire that grips in the wet even when it is worn!

ADVICE

Once the snow starts to fall or the gales begin to howl, our driving skills are pushed to the limit. You must reduce your speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking.

Black-ice is a thin coating of transparent frost, where you can see the dark road underneath it. Difficult to spot, black-ice is especially hazardous and contributes to a massive amount of accidents, therefore avoid or delay the journey.

De-mist, de-ice and when stuck in traffic do not continuously run the engine. This will save petrol. Slightly leave the window open for ventilation but maintaining warmth and raise your feet off the cold floor.

Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front. It can take ten times as long to stop in icy conditions. Look well ahead to anticipate problems.

When pulling away, use second gear if possible to avoid wheel spin. When braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allowing the speed to fall.

WARNING

If in a skid, turn into it, easing off the accelerator. When cornering, allow the speed to reduce well before bends.

Insurance is a given, but you may like to pay a little extra for emergency accommodation especially if going abroad, where traffic police often have greater powers and can be less forgiving.

Be prepared to take more time over your journey and check the forecast and weather warnings before leaving.

It may seem like common sense to say this but I believe it is worth reinforcing the idea of both drivers and passengers wearing a safety belt.

Drivers should not have drunk any alcohol whatsoever regardless of what the legal limit is, especially in the dark winter and that probably means none the night before.

Hung-over drivers are just as dangerous as exhausted drivers falling asleep at the wheel, especially with regard to reaction times.

SUMMARY

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name for The Guild of Experienced Motorists and was established in 1932 as an independent driver-based road safety association.

GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members.

The Highways Agency Information Line is 0845 750 4030

HIT THE PRINTOUT BUTTON AND KEEP THIS ARTICLE HANDY!

Learn more about this author, Alex Storey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.