With the recent snow storms like something out of a snow globe nature is throwing at us a treacherous mix of conditions for the roads.
For those who still need to drive to get about their daily business here are some helpful tips to ensure a safer drive, if you need drive at all.
Visibility: Clear all your windows, and, clear you car of all the snow. This does mean the roof too. Police may levy a £60 fine and three points on your licence if you are driving around with snow on the top of your car. The danger is great, even a gentle brake and you will lose visibility as it slides off the roof rendering you blind. Remember to clear your headlights.
Keep your screen wash topped up using the correct additives and in the proper concentrations advised on the label. This will prevent freezing and help you maintain the optimum visibility.
Fuel: Contrary to eco driving advice, keep your tank of fuel topped up. You’ll have plenty to get home; if you get caught and stuck in the snow then you’ll be able to run the engine to keep warm. Make sure the exhausts are clear; gasses can leak into the cabin if they are blocked by snow. The extra weight can also help keep your car planted in the snow for better grip.
Tyres: Ensure you have plenty of tread, if you are replacing the tyres, opt for a winter tyre as they offer better grip in these conditions. Make sure they are correctly inflated. Although the legal tread depth before replacement is 1.6mm, if they are below 3mm replace them.
The engine: Make sure your car is serviced regularly and depress the clutch when starting the engine; this reduces drag on the engine and preserves the life of the battery. Check your own oils and fluid in this weather, there is more strain on the engine causing more wear and tear.
Locks: Squirting WD-40 into the door locks will prevent them from freezing up.
Equipment: Perhaps more relevant for people travelling greater distances but it is important to keep a few things in the car to help yourself, and others should the need arise. It may help you get out of your own street.
A set of jump leads, sand or cat litter or old bits of carpet (for grip if you get stuck in the snow), small shovel, ice scraper, warm clothes, blanket, torch, food and water, first aid kit and a topped up, charged up mobile phone, with car charger if you have one.
Planning: If you do not need to drive, stay at home.
If you have to drive, stick to the main roads, they will be clearer and busier. Avoid the country lanes.
On motorways or dual carriageways stay in the clearest lane keeping within the clear tracks of other vehicles, avoid the snow and slush.
Driving: This requires planning and thought it will be important to brake, steer and accelerate as smoothly as possible. Get your speed right and you will not be too fast to lose control, or too slow to lose momentum when you need it most.
Avoid high revs when moving off, move of gently from a stationary start.
Quadruple your stopping distances, this will allow you to be able to see further ahead and plan earlier. Hopefully you can avoid braking altogether. If you do get into a skid, remove the cause of the skid and steer. Only use the brake if you cannot steer out of trouble. If you have ABS remember it may not behave in the same way as it would on other surfaces.
Use dipped headlights in the falling snow to see and be seen, use fog lights only if necessary.
Keep well back from the traffic.
A higher gear will provide better control, if you are in a manual car; move off in a higher gear rather than using first. If you do get stuck, spinning the wheels faster will likely get your more stuck.
What to do: If you do get stuck, stay in or close to your car. It is very easy to become disorientated in a heavy snowfall. Attach something brightly coloured to your car or car ariel to let others know you are there. Call and let someone know where you are and in which direction you were going.
If driving is not a necessity, leave it for another day.
“This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any e-zine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name Drivers Scotland, and website link www.driversscotland.co.uk must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.”
Tags: driving in the snow, Driving Techniques, driving tips, gear changing
