Winter Driving Advice

Even the most irresponsible of drivers is only too aware that extra care needs to be taken while out on the road in inclement weather.

Yet despite this, a significant proportion of British motorists wait until several feet of snow are on the ground before they stop and think about taking extra precautions on their journeys, even though it is all too often unseen hazards, namely ice and black ice rather than crisp white drifts, that are responsible for tens of thousands of accidents of varying degrees of seriousness each winter.

Indeed, rather than wait for Arctic conditions to hit the UK shores, motorists should be proactive and assume a safety-first approach to their driving once the winter sets in, even if the roads seem perfectly safe to look at.

Fortunately, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), staying safe while behind the wheel in winter is usually simply a case of adopting some easy, common-sense rules to motoring.

Drive Carefully....

It should go without saying that drivers should slow down and adopt a more cautious approach to their journeys in winter, yet the fact remains that most accidents at this time of the year are down to motorists going too fast and losing control of their vehicles in tough conditions.

In particular, the IAM reports that driving too close to the car in front and thereby not having sufficient space to stop on a slippery surface remains the number one cause of wintertime mishaps.

As well as slowing down and leaving plenty of space behind the car in front, motorists are therefore advised to plan their journey in advance and allow extra time for their trip.

Yet not too carefully...

At the same time, however, over-cautious drivers can also be something of a menace on British roads in the winter.

While it is understandable that they want to stay safe, such slow-coaches can not only hold up their fellow road users, causing tailbacks for several hundred metres, but they can also find themselves in trouble as they lack the momentum needed to climb slippery hills, with stalling or even backward-sliding cars causing numerous bumps and much inconvenience.

Winter-proof the car

Though drivers need to take extra care once behind the wheel, it is what is done before a journey starts that is often the key to staying safe and on the move over the worst of the winter months.

As with driving at any time of the year, preparing a car, regardless of its age or condition, is crucial.

For example, checking that tyres are in a good condition and are properly inflated can potentially be a lifesaver in tough conditions, as can ensuring that brake lights and indicators even on new cars are working properly before setting off on a journey.

Furthermore, it is also advisable to check that windscreen washers are not blocked and that antifreeze is added to any screen washer bottles, while packing extra clothing and hot drinks can also be wise if there is even the slightest risk of getting stuck in the snow.

Invest in winter driving skills

Aside from such common sense tactics, drivers can also increase their chances of staying safe in inclement weather by going that extra mile.

Advanced motoring courses, for instance, can teach otherwise-nervous drivers how to cope with skids or any other type of loss of control of a vehicle, while technology such as electronic stability control (ESC) or traction control can more than pay for themselves after just one harsh winter, even if it's only through boosting a motorist's confidence.