How To Be A Safer Driver This Winter

Winter can be an exciting and beautiful time of the year, but unfortunately it can come with some dangers. The most dangerous part of winter is having to drive in it. There are many things that can go wrong when having to drive on wet and icy roads or in the snow. If you are planning on doing any driving in the winter time, it can be important to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared. This can include having the right driving supplies, making sure your car is prepared, having your car insurance up to date, and also being mentally prepared to drive as well. Below are some things to consider when getting ready for winter driving.

How To Prepare Your Car For Winter Driving

Having reliable transportation is important year round, but it can be especially important in the winter. Having an unfortunate accident or car problem in the middle of spring does not compare to having the same situation during a cold rain or snow storm. During that time, even simple situations can be even more dangerous. Before winter approaches, there are certain parts on your vehicle that needs to be thoroughly checked. Check over the following:

• Snow Tires, Tire Tread and Pressure, Brakes
• Fuel System, Ignition System, Exhaust System, Cooling System
• Check all Belts, Fluid Levels, Defroster
• Wiper Blades, Windshield Washer Fluids
• Cooling System, Antifreeze, Battery, and Lights

Before taking any lengthy trips, or even shorter ones, it is best to always make sure you have more than enough gasoline. Try to fill up your gasoline tank well before it runs low. This can help minimise condensation in your tank and give you an advantage in the case of some car trouble. Always remember to clear any snow or frost from the windows, mirrors and lights of the car before driving.

You need to be able to see clearly to avoid any accidents. Always drive with your headlights on, especially if it is snowing.

Must-Have Winter Car Supplies

Besides checking the actual car before driving in the winter, below are some must-have supplies that should be in the car at all times. These are items that can be of assistance to you or another driver in the case of an emergency.

• Window scraper, brush, small shovel
• Booster cables, tow chain, sand or cat litter to gain tire traction
• Blankets, flashlights with batteries
• Extra warm clothing in case of having to walk in the cold
• Non-perishable food
• Flares or reflectors, towels

Be Prepared With Your Car Insurance

Another aspect of safe winter driving is to be sure that you have good car insurance to protect you in the case of an accident. Accidents are part of life and can happen in an instant. When winter approaches, driving can be even more dangerous and should have you looking over your car insurance details and looking to see if you can find a better policy.

One of the best ways to find a better or new car insurance policy is by searching online. Many websites offer users the ability to enter in their information and receive multiple quotes to compare. One great website to use is www.CarInsuranceComparison.co.uk. Car Insurance Comparison UK gives its users the capability to shop and compare policies from different companies based on their specific needs.

Using a good car insurance comparison site like Car Insurance Comparison Uk is a great way to find the right policy that meets your needs and fits your budget. Comparing quotes is the easiest way to find what coverage opportunities are available and to get the best possible deal.

Tips For Driving Safely In Winter

Driving in the winter is different from driving any other time of the year. Extra precautions need to be taken while driving to stay safe. Below are some tips to keep in mind while driving during the winter season.

• Be sure to always clear any ice or snow from your windows, lights and mirrors. Clearing the snow from the hood and roof of your car before driving is important as well because while driving it can fall down onto your windshields and block your view.
• Keep a safe distance from the cars around you. Always leave plenty of extra room for stopping.
• Always be on alert and pay attention. Do not try to out drive the weather conditions. Keep in mind that all posted speed limits are for dry road conditions. Extra caution should be taken when there is rain, snow or ice.
• If you have the access, find out the road conditions before making a trip.
• Use the brakes carefully. Do not slam on the brakes, as this can cause you to lose control of your car. Give yourself plenty of room from the car in front of you to come to a complete stop in a safe manner.
• Take extra precautions when driving on bridges. Their surface conditions can be worse than normal roads because of their extra exposure to air.
• Also take more precaution when using exit ramps off highways. They don’t always receive the same amount of anti-icing materials as the main roads.
• Do not use the cruise control feature. Even if a road appears to be clear and dry, it can still contain slippery spots. Even the slightest tap of the brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control over your car.
• Keep your attention farther ahead in traffic than normal. By paying attention to all that is going on ahead of you, you will be better able to notice problems that will need your quick attention and reaction.
• Drive at a slower and safer speed and always wear your seat belt.

How To Drive Safely Around Snow Plows

In the winter season, it is a common occurrence to be sharing the roads with plows. Drivers should be extra careful when approaching and driving past the plows. Remember that the road ahead of the plow is usually in much worse condition than behind. Plows move slowly and generally drive no more than 35 mph. It can be tempting to pass a snow plow, but it can be dangerous. If you must pass it, be sure to do it slowly.

Keep a safe distance between your car and the plow. While they are working, snow can be blown around and can cause visibility issues if you are too close. Keeping a safe distance is also important because the plow might need time to stop or move around a stranded car on the road.

Overall, the most important aspect of being a safer driver in the winter is by being prepared. The safest drivers will drive carefully and always be on alert. No matter what the conditions are, it is always safer to slow down and take your time. Speeding or driving in a hurry can lead to unnecessary accidents and problems.

The holidays mean more travel both for distance and in the city. It can also mean driving in difficult road conditions such as ice and snow. Another possible problem is driving in these conditions when you are slightly tipsy from the festivities of a holiday party. It can seriously ruin your holidays if you have a serious accident during that time.

Watch Your Drinking

If you are planning on drinking at a party, take a taxi and plan to take one home. If you are hosting a party, collect the keys of your guests when they come in, so you can make sure they are not too impaired to drive home. When the weather is bad, even being slightly tipsy can cause you to make an error while driving and it puts you, your passengers and the other cars on the road at risk.

Prepare for Poor Road Conditions

Another big risk of driving around the holidays is that the weather can suddenly turn bad. A light snowstorm is enough to make driving hazardous until the roads are cleared after the storm. When driving on snowy or icy roads, slow down. Allow yourself more time to stop, and make sure that you do not follow the person in front of you too closely. Driving in the tracks already on the road can make it easier for your tires to grip the road. If you do not need to go out during a storm, then you should stay home. This is the best way to stay safe during winter weather.

Plan for Long Trips

Over the holidays many people take long road trips home to see family. It is easy to become tired and to cause accidents when you are on the road for several hours straight. One way to deal with this is to plan frequent stops along the trip. Stoop for meals, but also get out every few hours to stretch your legs and break up the monotony. Another option is to split the driving with another driver. Switching off at each break will keep you both fresh and alert when it is your turn to drive. If you are too tired to drive, then you should pull over and sleep for a few hours before pushing through to the end of your trip. An emergency car kit that continues a few blankets, some extra food and water should be a part of packing for every road trip.

Make Car Maintenance a Priority

It is a good idea to take your car into to the mechanic to have it prepared for winter. The mechanic can do a tune-up and top up the fluids your car will need to deal with winter weather. If you are planning a big road trip over the holidays, make the time to get the tune-up before you go. This will make it easier for your car to make the long trip and can prevent you from being stranded on the side of the road.

Review Directions Before You Leave

Although GPS unites make traveling much easier, it is a good idea to review the road instructions before you leave. This will give you a generally idea of where you are going, and when you should get there. It can also help you if there is a sudden detour or if your GPS unit suddenly goes out. Reviewing the directions will also make it easier to determine when and where to stop, and will allow you to book a hotel room, if you need to stay overnight along the way. Over the holidays hotels fill up quickly, and you do not want to be forced to continue to drive when you are tired.

Remember Country Driving Rules

If you primarily drive in the city, it is important to remember to slow down when you are in the country on the smaller roads. Take the turns slowly, and be careful of turns and curves near hedgerows. If you are driving on a one-lane road you should slow down so you can stop quickly if you need to. Similarly if you are driving to the city be prepared to deal with heavier traffic.

If you are planning on driving through the holiday season, it is important to remember to be patient. Take your time to arrive at your destination and plan ahead for unexpected delays. Make sure that you plan ahead if you plan on drinking t holiday parties. If you do these things you should be safe driving over the holiday season.

Driving in icy conditions can be a hazard for anyone, even those well experienced in navigating the road during inclement weather. Conventional driving wisdom can only get you so far when it comes to driving on ice. To adapt to icy weather conditions, you will need to take extra precautions and keep these tips in mind while driving.

Find the Right Speed

In snow and ice, driving too fast is obviously not the best idea, but driving too slowly can also present a hazard as you will not have enough momentum when you need it. You should find a moderate speed to stick to and be prepared to brake, change lanes, accelerate, or make other transitions as smoothly as possible. Tight, jerky motions should be avoided.

If you find yourself needing to brake quickly on ice, you should let your foot off of the accelerator instead. Braking on ice may cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Try to steer normally and allow your car to come to a stop at a normal pace without using your brake pedal.

Keep Your Distance

The cars in front of you may not be equipped to drive in icy conditions, or they may become entangled in ice or snow. To prevent accidents, triple the normal distance that you place between yourself and the car in front of you. Remember that you will not want to stomp the brake while driving in ice, so give your car plenty of time to slowly stop without hitting the person in front of you.

Avoid Country Roads if Possible

While some people may find themselves in a situation where they have to use a country road, try to only use main roads that have been gritted. The main highways and roads will almost always be gritted, so stick to those for as much of the trip as possible. Also, you should make sure to travel in the centre of the road or the area that is least affected by the snow and ice.

Other Precautions to Take While Driving in Icy Conditions

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, you should also keep your car in a higher gear if at all possible. This will allow you to have more control over your vehicle so that you can better react to icy road conditions.

Your headlights should be on at all times, but you can use your fog lights only if necessary.

Preparing for a Trip in Icy Conditions

Before you leave to travel anywhere that you suspect may be under a snow or ice advisory, make sure to check all of the weather reports that you can access. While these won’t be 100% accurate, you can find out more information on current road conditions and tips on how to avoid hazards on the ice and snow.

Another thing to have on hand is an emergency kit. The emergency kit should contain tools and other useful items in the event of a breakdown, and you should also have a thick blanket in your car just in case. You should also travel with water, food, and some alternative form of lighting in case you are caught somewhere in the snow.

You should leave your house with your mobile device fully charged, and you may want to consider purchasing a car charger in the event that you become stranded and your mobile is not fully charged. Before you leave on your trip, make sure to also have your car fully inspected so that you will know that your vehicle is safe to drive.

Insurance is another important thing to carry with you while traveling on icy roads, and you can do a quick comparison of rates and policies on the homepage of this site.

Extra reading

Check Your Cover Before Winter (application/pdf)

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How To Prepare Your Car For Winter (application/pdf)

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