With many Brits battling snow for the first time this year today - lots of us have had a small but bitter taste of the winter to come. From blocked roads to travel chaos, poor weather conditions have ground much of the country to a halt.
As frustrating as the snow and ice can be fo r drivers, the good news is there's lots motorists can do to give themselves the best chance they can to keep moving safely. Keen to help, an expert at RAC breakdown has shared tips for those who have to head out in the snow, including how best to prepare and safety advice.
With thousands of breakdowns already reported, and the number set to increase 40% compared to the expected average by the end of the day, it is well worth taking note of.
RAC Breakdown's Rod Dennis said: "Our teams are incredibly busy today – over 4,000 drivers have already broken down and called us for help this morning and we're doing everything we can to get to people as quickly as possible. By the end of the day we expect to have handled in the region of eight breakdowns every minute, 40% more than we’d expect on a typical Monday in December.
Advising people on how to stay safe on the roads, he added: "With some parts of the country blanketed by snow and the rest of the country enduring sub-zero temperatures, drivers should only drive if conditions allow and they feel confident enough to do so, sticking to main routes where possible as these are more likely to be well gritted.
"Carry a blanket and a fully charged mobile phone in case of breakdown. Drivers should be prepared for extremely slippery conditions. Our advice is reduce speed and leave extra space behind the vehicle in front and drive in as high a gear as possible to minimise the chances of wheels spinning and brake gently to avoid skidding.
"It's also vital that all tyres have plenty of tread and that vehicles are topped up with a good quality screenwash that protects down to well below zero so windscreens can always be kept clear."
Elsewhere, experts at RAC have also shared advice on how to prepare your vehicle for snow and ice as we plunge into winter climes.
According to the experts, preparation is key. Even before you step out of the front door, you can ease your journey by planning your route ahead of time. "Consider areas that are going to be exposed to the elements, and perhaps prone to flooding," said a spokesperson.
They recommend keeping up to date with the local weather. It is also important to leave more time than usual. You'll need to clear snow off your car, plus clean the outside and inside of your windscreen before setting off.
If you drive with snow on your car you could be breaking the law, as the experts point out. Driving without full visibility through all of your windows is also illegal. With the weather as it is, it's vital to check your wipers, your tyres and your screen wash. Last but not least, you should also pack for the worst, just in case.
The expert advised: "Be prepared for every eventuality by ensuring that your car is equipped with the following: demisting pad, torch (wind-up so you don’t run out of battery), a hi-vis vest to make you visible if you break down, a blanket to keep you warm, some food, a drink, spare screenwash, de-icer, ice scraper, blanket, shovel, phone charger, map, a first aid kit, a warning triangle, some jump leads, a spade and a square of carpet that you can use to put under your drive wheels should you get stuck in the snow."
When it comes to driving safely in the snow, there's also lots of advice you can follow. RAC'S top tips are listed below.
- Wear comfortable and dry footwear
- Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible
- Move off in second gear as this will help reduce wheel slip - some cars have a winter mode, which does the same job – so to check whether your car has this function in the vehicle’s handbook
- Get your speed right and maintain safe stopping distances between you and the car in front, leaving as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap
- Prepare for an uphill by leaving plenty of room in front so you can maintain a constant speed without the need for changing gear
- Use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless necessary, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front
- When approaching a bend, brake before you actually start to turn the steering wheel. If your car does lose grip try not to panic; the key thing is to take your foot off the accelerator and make sure that your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go in
- If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it - for example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel or stamp your foot on the brakes
- When driving in heavy snow, make sure that you use your dipped headlights. Relying on daytime running lights is not enough, because they don’t always put lights on the back of your car.
- If visibility drops below a 100m, put your fog lights on. But remember to turn them off when the visibility improves.
- If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheeltracks or other vehicles as compressed snow is likely to be more icy than fresh snow
- Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and even gear changing should be operated smoothly and slowly
- Sunglasses can help to reduce the glare of low winter sun on the snow
- Keep your speed down and allow more time to stop and steer
- Finally, it’s important to think about the environment that you’re driving in, especially microclimates that might appear on the road. These are areas that perhaps the sun hasn’t got to, which could stay icy when the rest of the road has thawed. Bridges are a good example. They’re normally the first to freeze and the last to thaw. So be aware of that when you’re driving in open spaces.
You can find the complete safety guide here.
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