7 Ways to Keep Safe on the Roads this Winter
3rd February 2012
With the day’s getting shorter and the weather colder, as well as generally and wetter, motorists certainly need to take more car on the road during the winter months. Follow these top tips on how to keep safe on the road when driving this winter.
1. Drive Carefully: In winter you can expect to be driving on the road in generally worse conditions than in the summer months. Rain, fog and snow are all more likely to occur in the winter months and all drivers need to be more considerate of other road users. Think about this when driving in winter and give extra space for yourself and other motorists on busy roads.
2. Fit Winter Tyres: According to the AA, winter tyres effectively improve traction, braking and cornering on wet or icy roads, at temperatures below + 7 degrees Celsius. So you may wish to fit winter tyres. Winter tyres can help a car to stop 4.8 metres shorter than summer tyres on wet roads; on icy roads this extends to a massive 11 metres.
3. Fuel: Keep the fuel level above half to prevent the build up of moisture in the fuel tank and fuel lines which could freeze and reduce the flow of petrol.
4. Battery: Check that the cables and posts of your battery are not corroded. You may also want to coat terminals with petroleum Vaseline to prohibit damp. You should also check the oil level of your car regularly over the winter months.
5. Wipers: Check that the windscreen wipers are functioning correctly and top up the washer reservoir regularly with the correct mixture of water and windscreen antifreeze mixture.
6. Be Prepared: If you are unfortunate enough to break down over the winter months you should ensure that you have adequate items in your vehicle to keep you warm. Pack a blanket, some waterproof clothing and a spare jumper or two in the boot of your car. Travel with a bottle of water and some snacks, such as chocolate bars and biscuits, too, to keep you going should you be stranded.
7. Get Breakdown Cover: The unpredictable British weather and poorer driving conditions inevitably means that car breakdowns are more likely to occur in the winter months. One of the easiest ways to ensure you keep safe on the road this winter is to buy adequate car breakdown cover that suits
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