17 December 2009

Tips for Winter Driving

For most it is a grim though of heading in to winter months with the limited day light hours and adverse weather conditions being predicted by the Met office on a daily basis. How about those who have to drive for the employer! The following points in this article highlights some basic top tips for those who drive and have to drive during hazardous conditions, whether it is making deliveries to the clients with the finished printed articles, attending meetings or just general deliveries.

Your Vehicle
Ensure the vehicles antifreeze is at the correct strength by consulting the vehicle's user handbook. Make sure the windscreen is kept clean on both sides and that the wiper blades are in good condition with no signs of splitting. Keep all lights clean. Clear the windscreen and all windows of frost and ice via scraper and de-icer, not hot water from a kettle!

Add low temperature screen wash to the water bottle and carry a spare 'top up' bottle of the solution in the vehicle. Check tyre tread depth and pressures and ensure the tyre tread is at least 3mm deep, this is recommended for winter motoring.

Your Journey
Do you need to travel? if so, your journey could potentially be slower so set off earlier to allow for possible hold-ups due to accidents, slower speeds, heavy rain or snow showers and possible single lane traffic on dual carriageways due to snow. Ensure you keep a longer gap than usual to the vehicle in front, especially when there is ice or snow on the roads. Adjust your driving so that you brake and accelerate more gently on wet, snowy or icy surfaces. Please remember to use your lights, use your dipped headlights in mist, fog, falling snow or heavy rain. Use your rear fog-lights in fog, mist or falling snow but not in rain and turn it off as soon as conditions allow.

You
Make sure you allow time to prepare your vehicle before setting off on your journey. Driving in adverse conditions can be extremely tiring, so be prepared to take extra breaks during your journey. Ensure you have ‘outside' clothing with you in case you have to get out and abandon your vehicle. Also, carry a blanket and other warm clothing in the vehicle in case you have to spend a night in your vehicle, and carry a couple of bottles of water and some chocolate bars and other provisions.

Watch out for vulnerable and inexperienced road users!

Remember, always drive according to the weather conditions, regardless of whether the road has been gritted or not.

For further advice on safety for your drivers, please contact Simon Lunken.