How To Drive Safely In The Snow

How To Drive Safely In The Snow

If you have been joyfully wishing for a white Christmas this year – you may just be in luck!

With the latest weather forecasts predicting up to 17 inches of snow in some places within the UK next week, now seem the perfect time to brush up on some motoring ‘do’s and don’ts’ before heading out in severe weather conditions!

So, join us as we guide you through how to stay safe on the roads in the event of an extra chilly Christmas.

During our normal weekly commute, we often take small things such as washer fluid and general driving essential for granted. After all, what’s the likely hood of needing a snow shovel in the height of Summer?

So before you set out like normal, remember that driving in the snow can be extremely hazardous and seriously affect conditions on the road – it’s best to be more prepared than underprepared!

So before setting off in the snow, here a few things that you need to take into consideration:

· Plan your journey and ensure you leave more time to reach your destination

· Clear you wipers before switching on your engine.

· Ensure all tyres have enough tread – poor tyres will not grip when driving on ice and snow.

· Pack for the worst-case scenario (de-ice, blankets, shovel, phone charger, jump leads, food and warm drink)

· Top up your washer fluid with good-quality screenwash that protects down to -35.

Tips for Driving In The Snow

If possible driving should be avoided, however, we understand that not everyone can wait around for the white stuff to thaw away. So here are a few tips on how to tackle driving in the snow:

· Move off in second gear or in Winter mode – this will help to reduce the wheels slipping.

· Accelerate gently and use low revs. Ensure you change up to a higher gear quickly.

· Leave 10 times the normal recommended stopping gap between you and the car in front

· Prepare for driving up a hill by leaving plenty of room in front so that you can maintain a constant speed without having to change gear.

· For downhill slopes, use a low gear and try to avoid braking unless necessary.

· Should you skid, steer gently into it and do not stamp on your brakes or let go of the steering wheel. (if the rear of your car slides left, gently steer to the left until you straighten up).

· Approaching a bend ensure you reduce your speed before you start to turn your wheel on the bend.

· If the road has not been gritted be wary of driving on the compacted wheel tracks as they are more likely to be icy than fresh snow.

January News

January has been a nightmare for drivers thanks to the devastating snow and ice, grinding the UK to a halt. With stories emerging that temperatures hit -16 in parts of Scotland, we have certainly learned the weather is a harsh mistress and that in the UK, we are poorly prepared!

Drivers were stuck in their cars for hours at a time and we happily echo advice issued by the emergency services – only make essential journeys in your car in such extreme weather conditions. We would also say that if such weather is predicted, carry a ‘survival pack’ in the boot of your car consisting of the following items if at all possible:

• A large bottle of water
• A flask containing a hot beverage
• A reflective jacket or reflective strips that can be placed on your person should you be required to leave your car
• Blankets
• Snacks to keep you going just in case you are stuck for hours
• Fully charged mobile phone so you can inform loved ones that you are safe

This isn’t an exhaustive list but it should be a good starting point for those anticipating being caught in extreme weather conditions. Before making the essential journeys, check the met office website and the highways agency.Also, see our Ezine article about how to start your car on a cold morning.

Moving on to this month’s driving news, the snow affected the millions of UK drivers although many hit the news as gritting vehicles were slow to respond to key areas. However, one story that made headlines that will cause many to scratch their heads in confusion is the two men who drove their Peugeot down a frozen canal – before plunging through the ice.

Cheating death after the Peugeot car broke through the ice, the two men who were inside the car when it plunged into the freezing water were branded by the police as ‘stupid’, although we suspect stronger words were used down at the station.

The thoughtless duo drove half a mile down the frozen canal before the inevitable happened. Police tracked them down and charged them with reckless conduct. With the emergency services struggling to attend genuine accidents and emergencies at this difficult time, this was clearly a poorly thought out plan and the thrill seekers aged 22 and 24 will find out their fate when they attend Livingston Sherriff Court next month for sentencing.  

Also in the news...
Children’s cartoon Peppa Pig was embroiled in a safety row – because parents raised concerns over the fact that when the cartoon pig was in a car she did not wear a seatbelt.

One parents complained that her daughter had refused to wear a seatbelt because Peppa didn’t. We think that this is ridiculous and blame this on bad parenting rather than Peppa Pig. If I had said this to my mother when I was a child, I would have been punished for being so silly! Cartoon characters are not role models and any parents should be stronger when dealing with a petulant child.

However, to be seen as taking these complaints seriously, the creators of the Bafta Award winning cartoon aimed at children aged two and above admitted that they were “naive” when they began making Peppa Pig. Future episodes of the cartoon will feature Peppa wearing a seatbelt. Another win for the overbearing parents involved it seems.

This is brought to you by Megavaux, supplier of Vauxhall Van Parts