Safe Winter Motoring

It’s been a year to the month since we last posted and reminded our readers of the requirements for safe winter driving. With the ‘heavy’ falls of snow across the UK last night now seems as an appropriate time as ever to remind everybody of keeping safe on the roads and definitely not claiming on your motor insurance policy.

The Highways Agency is responsible for England’s motorways and trunk roads. If the weather gets worse please click thorugh and read further tips for getting you through bad weather safely. Also make sure you listen out for weather warnings and be prepared to change or delay your journey depending on advice being given.

If the weather is very bad, don’t drive unless your journey is essential. Wait until the weather improves. If it is possible to delay your journey to see if the weather clears then make this decision. There are also some pre-journey checks you can make on your vehicle:

• Ensure the lights, windows and mirrors are clean and free from debris, muck, ice and snow.
• Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles
• Make sure brakes, wipers, heater, exhaust system and lights are in good working order
• Check that tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure
• Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive
• It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing
• Put an extra car key in you pocket. It has been known that motorists have locked themselves out of their car when going outside to open the bonnet
• If you live in Scotland or in areas renowned for heavy snow fall, try and carry tyre chains. Make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order.

In many European countries in order to increase the amount of grip when the roads are icy or snow-covered winter tyres or snow chains are fitted. This is common practice in where snow and ice is either long-lasting, or where altitude means heavy falls of snow are common-place.

If you are likely to cover much distance on treacherous roads, even in the UK, but feel that a complete set of winter tyres is too high an expense, you might consider a reputable brand of retreaded winter tyre.