Ride Drive & Car Driving Articles

It is the time of year we all dread, when the temperature drops and the roads ice over, making both preparing for your journey and driving a lot more difficult and hazardous. The following advice will help you get through the cold winter months on the roads.

Before You Start a Long Journey

Clearing Your Windscreen⁄Windows:

Driving with restricted vision carries a penalty of up to £1000, so ensure your windscreen is cleared by following the tips below before you set off:

Brush snow off the windscreen, mirrors and windows.
Check the windscreen wipers are not stuck to the window.
Spray de–icer onto the windscreen and use an ice scraper to remove any thick ice⁄frost.
Use air conditioning for faster demisting and to reduce condensation on cold windows.
Clear the inside of your window, any smear marks will be magnified by the sun and will make it difficult to see where you are going.
Clear all snow from the roof of your car, as it can fall onto the windscreen blocking your view.
Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up and mixed with an anti–freezing agent.
Never use hot water to defrost your window quickly; this can crack the glass on your windscreen.

Driving Advice:

Check for ice before driving – most modern cars have ice warning lights and temperature gauges. Anything below three degrees centigrade means ice is likely.
Only travel if your journey is completely necessary – If conditions are hazardous, ask yourself whether you need to travel.
Braking distances are as much as 10 times longer in snow and ice.
Pull off in second gear, slowly taking your foot off the clutch to avoid wheel spin.
Remember – Stopping distances are ten times longer in snow, so keep your distance from the car in front.
If your tyres suddenly become quiet, this could be a sign you’re driving on ice, so take great care and slow down.
Watch out for salt spreaders and snow ploughs. Both use flashing amber beacons and will drive at less than 40mph. If you have to overtake these vehicles, leave plenty of room as any grit may damage your car.
Avoid over–revving the engine in thick snow – this may cause the wheels to get stuck in the snow.
Use the highest available gear and lightly manoeuvre the car out of the snow.
Ensure your tyres are in good condition and have the minimum legal pressure and tread depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter driving, and no less than 2mm.

Carry an Emergency Kit

Preparing an emergency kit containing the following could prove helpful in case the unthinkable does happen:

It is also a good idea to ensure you have adequate breakdown cover to either fix your car at the side of the road or to recover your vehicle to a nearby garage. Breakdown cover can often be included in your car insurance policy; so when you’re looking for the cheapest cover on the likes of Go Compare or moneysupermarket, you can add this as an optional extra.

If You Break Down:

If you break down on your journey, call your breakdown assistance provider and follow their instructions. If you have a warning triangle, place this around 50–metres behind your car and return to your vehicle.

If you break down on a motorway, get to the hard shoulder and as far away from the traffic as possible. Exit the vehicle using only the passenger side doors, and find your nearest roadside marker. These are used to pinpoint your location on the motorway.

Find an emergency phone, which should connect you to the highways agency who will ask for your name, vehicle model and colour, along with the problem you have encountered. They will also ask if you have breakdown cover or if you need a local recovery service.

Return to your car, but do not enter it, or let any passengers get back in the car. Stay on the embankment; unless it is dangerous to stay outside the vehicle. Ensure your hazard lights are left on until assistance arrives.

If you are on normal roads, stay in your car and call your breakdown provider from the car. Do not attempt to get out and walk unless help is visible within 100 yards. Turn your car engine over occasionally to keep warm, but make sure exhaust pipe is clear of any snow or debris, and keep a window open to prevent a build up of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle.

Whilst this is not an ideal time of year, having to get up early to de ice your car and make it safe for you to drive; using the above advice should help you on your way.