Driving in the snow and ice will always be incredibly stressful even for an experienced motorist, but are there ways that you can make this safer? It is recommended that you do not drive when there is snow and ice and this is smart advice, but of course sometimes this is not an option and you will have to make the journey. In these situations, there are a few ways that you can increase safety and reduce stress.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
First, it is a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination so that you do not have to rush. Additionally, plan your route before you set off and consider if there will be one way which is safer than another. Additionally, it is a good idea to inform someone of where you are going and what route you will be taking.
Pack an Emergency Kit
It is also important to have an emergency kit in the car in case you have an accident or breakdown. This should contain items such as:
- First-aid kit
- Torch
- Shovel
- De-icer
- Blanket
- Phone charger
- Food and drink
Carry Out Basic Maintenance
It is always important to perform regular car maintenance throughout the winter and to perform various checks before setting off. These should include testing tyre pressure and tread depth, looking for signs of tyre damage, topping up fluids and checking that all of the lights work. Before setting off, you need to remove snow and ice from your windows and that mirrors are demisted.
Switch to Winter Tyres
It is also a good idea to switch to winter tyres in snow and/or ice as these tyres are designed to work in these conditions. These provide superior grip and control on the roads, which will both help you to drive safely as well as help you to feel more confident. You can buy winter car tyres online and these are certainly worth the investment for the colder months of the year if you will have to spend a lot of time driving.
Drive With Caution
Obviously, you need to drive with extra caution when setting off in snow and/or ice. This will involve slowing down, keeping your distance from other road users (stopping distances can be 10 times longer), accelerating, braking and cornering gently and avoiding any sudden actions.
Hopefully, the information in this post will help you to stay safe when driving in winter and feel more confident behind the wheel. It is best to avoid driving in snow and ice if possible, but if you do have to venture out then these are the key areas that you need to focus on in order to stay safe while on the roads.