The winter weather makes driving a lot more perilous. The small issues that are easy to avoid when the sun shines become a major factor when the weather turns icy, and you have to be careful. No one wants to experience an accident as accidents are nasty. Fortunately, you don’t have to if you change the way your drive. Yes, when the winter sets in you have to adapt by driving to the conditions on the road. It may sound obvious, but it is amazing how many people don’t do this and suffer the consequences. Here are a few tips that will help keep you safe on the roads during the rest of the winter.
Maintain Your Car
The last thing you want while you are driving is a car that makes driving much harder than normal. In the winter, there are too many variables to consider without having to deal with a dodgy motor. And, most car problems are easy to fix with a little bit of tender loving care. All you have to do is take a look under the bonnet to see if you can spot any mechanical issues. Or, you can take your car to a mechanic and have them take a look instead. Either way, it is important that your vehicle doesn’t have any faults as the roads make them worse.
Get Your Car Ready For The Winter
You may think that these two tips are one and the same, yet they are differences. Maintaining your car is about spotting and fixing faults, whereas preparing your car is about enhancing it for the winter. There are plenty of ways to do it, but changing your tyres has to be the first and best option. Normal car tyres are not sufficient enough when the snow starts to fall and the ice starts to form. In this scenario, you need winter tyres as they provide more friction and grip. Regardless of the conditions, these tyres should prevent you from coming to any harm.
Slow Down
Every driver doesn’t follow the exact speed limit. Let’s face it – you never drive at 30mph once you are road legal. That is fine on normal roads, as long as you are not speeding to excess. But, it increases the chances of an accident in the winter. The roads are not as warm or dry, so there is less friction. In fact, ice can increase your braking distance by ten times the normal number. It is essential, therefore, that you slow down and take your time. By driving slow, the car has a greater chance of stopping. Plus, it is easier to control as you are not going as fast.
Know What Roads Are Maintained
One turn down the wrong road could get you into lots of trouble as it could be icy. Obviously, you don’t want to drive on these roads if you can avoid it, which is why you need to know the conditions beforehand. Everyone in the local area knows what roads are good and what roads are bad. Use this information to your advantage by avoiding the notoriously poor ones and sticking to the good ones. A useful tip: the main roads are normally the best as they get the most traffic.
Keep Useful Items In The Boot
If you do find yourself in a tight spot, you are going to need the right equipment to come unstuck. One handy tool could free you from the side of the road or the snow, so it is important to figure out what you need. Firstly, a spade is a fantastic idea. There is a good chance that you could get stuck in the snow, in which you will have to dig the car out. Also, a jack is useful as it can lift the car up so that you can remove any blockages from underneath the vehicle. Plus, a bag of rock salt or cat litter is another favourite as it melts the snow and the ice. Don’t forget that you need to pack warm clothes as you could be waiting there a while.
Call The Professionals
Whether you like it or not, you need winter breakdown cover. There are some scenarios that are too hard for you to negate, but not for the experts. They will come out as quickly as possible and tow you to the nearest garage for further assistance. During the winter, they are essential for staying safe.
Please, don’t take any chances on the roads during the winter.
