The nights have closed in, and the temperatures are falling. Winter is here, and not going away. Wintery conditions affect the roads in different ways. Not all winters are the same, and conditions may not be the same everywhere. However, there are still certain things that you can do on the road to make driving in winter safer for you and everyone else on the road. Here are five useful tips for winter driving.
Plan Ahead
While it may seem obvious, you should consider where you are going to drive to, and how you should get there. Winter weather, particularly snow and sleet, can cause particular difficulties to the road. This might be traffic blackspots where road traffic tends to build up, or simply roads that are most easily affected by bad weather. If you can avoid these roads on the way to your destination, then you’ll find it much easier in the long run.
Slow Down
You probably know how your car reacts to your control and to the road in regular conditions. However, winter driving changes this. Normally, you need to put at least two seconds worth of road between you and the car in front. If the road is icy though, you could need as much as ten times this.
Pay Attention
When you have been driving a long time, you get used to the road signs being there – especially if you are in a familiar area. This does not mean that you should ignore them though, regardless of how much you might know the area. Road signs can be particularly useful in winter – with information such as the steepness of roads, the conditions of the surface and the upcoming hazards being especially useful.
Understand your Brakes
Making sure that you have properly working brakes is a major part of staying safe while driving in winter. Your ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is essential in winter. It helps to stop your car from skidding when you brake on a wet road. If you are aware of your ABS, and how it feels when you use it, you can brake more safely on a wintery road.
Maintain your Car
There are minor issues with most cars. Many of us choose to ignore them, or consistently put off taking action to fix them. However, minor issues can grow into much larger ones in winter. Even if you are a perfect driver, your car could still let you down. Winter driving can exacerbate faults such as windscreen cracks and faulty batteries. Get your car checked out before it lets you down.
GAP Insurance Today protects the value of your car if it is written off, or stolen. Get covered today from as little as £30.