First and foremost
- Listen to the advice given. If
the advice is "Don't drive unless
essential", then "Don't drive unless
essential." If you must drive it
is important you are suitably prepared:
-
Allow plenty of extra time
for your journey
-
If necessary, plan an alternative
route
-
Remember, you will change
what you wear and put on your
feet - most of us do not have
the luxury of doing this with
our cars. Do not make unreasonable
demands on your car - you cannot
expect the car to drive the
same in adverse weather
-
Ensure you clear all windows
(inside and out), mirrors, headlights
and taillights (it is no use
using lights/indicators if they
cannot be seen by others
-
Ensure you clear ALL snow
from the vehicle to avoid it
sliding down the windows whilst
driving or braking
-
Dress/carry warm clothing
- gloves, hat, boots etc.
-
Carry a blanket, hot flask
and something to eat
-
Carry a shovel, grit/salt,
an old piece of carpet to put
under the tyres should you get
stuck
-
Carry an ice scraper/de-icer
-
Carry a FULLY CHARGED mobile
phone
-
If possible carry a first
aid kit
-
Ensure your spare tyre is
inflated to the max pressure
for your car and you have the
necessary tools to change a
wheel should you need to
-
Ensure tyres are correctly
inflated in accordance with
those set out in the car handbook.
DO NOT deflate tyres for better
grip as this can have an adverse
affect and could lead to loss
of control
-
Ensure tyres have sufficient
tread depth - 1.6mm is the legal
minimum, however below 3mm you
really start to lose grip in
wet and adverse weather
-
If you are lucky enough,
fit winter tyres. These are
made of softer rubber and have
a different tread/pattern. These
perform better in all conditions
below 7C
-
Check you have enough fuel
for the journey allowing more
than you need for delays or
getting stuck
-
Check all the levels under
the bonnet - do not rely on
electronic systems for this.
Check Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid
and keep washer fluid topped
up (carry extra in the boot
just in case)
-
Don't operate wipers on
a frozen windscreen - you can
damage the motor and the rubber
wiper blades
-
Use appropriate lighting
- usually dipped headlights.
If visibility is seriously reduced
(below 100 metres) use front
and rear fog lights - remember
to switch these off when conditions
improve
-
Increase your following
distance - in good weather a
minimum gap of 2 seconds is
required. This is doubled to
4 seconds in wet weather and
stopping distances can be up
to ten times the normal in snow
and ice. Extend your following
distance further if the vehicle
behind you is not leaving sufficient
space
-
Virgin snow provides better
grip but can mask hidden problems
such as potholes or ice
-
The majority of skids occur
as a result of driver error
and are avoidable. REMEMBER:
Skid avoidance is the best approach
so that you do not have to try
to recover from/control a skid
-
Avoid any sudden acceleration,
harsh braking or steering as
these can lead to a loss of
control
-
Avoid steering and braking
at the same time
-
Use engine braking (off
gas) but remember this will
take you longer to stop so allow
more space
-
ABS (anti-lock brakes) can
actually be counter productive
in snow and ice
-
Do not spin your wheels
- you are likely to dig yourself
in deeper
-
Be careful if one wheel
grips and the other does not
as this can cause the car to
move sideways
-
If you are struggling to
move off in snow - try starting
in 2nd gear - NO GAS - just
very gentle and slowly with
the clutch - add a little gas
as the car starts to move and
continue very slowly with the
clutch to allow the wheels to
slowly turn and reduce the risk
of a stall
-
If you become stuck, you
may need to dig yourself out
and/or use grit to help. If
you have an old piece of carpet
this can be used to place under
the tyres
-
If you do skid, steer into
the skid - e.g. if the rear
of the car skids to the right,
steer right to help recover
the skid
-
Remember, however safe you
are, you are still at the mercy
of other drivers. Anticipate
and allow for other driver's
mistakes Pre-driver checks:
Try to remember POWERS.
