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Safe Driving When the Weather Turns Bad

The British winter can make driving a hazardous endeavor. Weather conditions can quickly and often do turn nasty. From the low grey skies which inhibit visibility to the frosted morning roads which cause your car to lose traction.

When the weather is severe the simple and often quoted advice is to stay at home. However in the modern age of the car this advice is not so easy to realize.

You can however take precautions, which will help both you and your car deal with the worst the Great British weather can throw at you.

Firstly as winter approaches take time to inspect the condition of your car.

Tyres should be checked for adequate tread. The legal requirement is a 1.6mm tread depth but in wintry conditions it is safer to have 3mm

Check front and rear lights to make sure all are working and that the plastic covers are clean.

If your cars battery is sluggish starting then replace it. Cold, frosty mornings can be cruel to failing car battery.

Check you windscreen washer reservoir is full and contains a quality non freezing screen wash concentrate. Also check the condition of your wipers. These will need to be in tiptop condition if your windscreen is to remain clear.

If your car is due a service then get one

Sensible other precautions include:

Buy a screen wiper and a can de-icier and keep them in your car.

Make sure you keep as full a tank of petrol as you can. On British roads during the winter long delays are not uncommon. Running out of fuel in such conditions can be dangerous.

Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.

If the weather turns bad whilst driving listen to the local radio station to get the latest travel news.

Check your car insurance policy. Are you covered for damage caused by severe weather? For example many car insurance policies don't pay out if your car suffers damage due to flooding.

Driving in snow and ice can be a perilous activity. Unexpected snow is very dangerous. It means that the road gritters will not have been called out and that the roads remain ungritted. Once gritted you should find that there is enough grip for careful driving.

If you do find yourself driving in snow or when there is ice on the road this is what you should do.

Avoid turning the steering wheel suddenly or sharply.

Accelerate smoothly and gradually.

Slow down and avoid sudden braking. You should use the engine brake (changing down into lower gears) as well as the brake pedal. This will help you avoid locking the wheels. If the wheels do lock-up it is likely that your car will slide out of control. If this happens you should release the brake pedal to help the wheels regain traction. Then brake, gently and gradually whilst changing into the low gears.

Create more distance between you and the vehicle in front. In can take up to 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions.

Use higher gears as this will help prevent wheel spin.

Statistically driving in fog is the most dangerous road condition in the UK. If the fog is really bad then it is advisable to pull over, park somewhere safe and wait for the fog to lift. If however you find yourself driving in fog this is what you should do.

Slow down, dip your headlights and turn on your fog lights (if visibility is less than 100 metres).

Keep alert. If you suddenly find the fog clearing don't think the danger has gone away. Fog is often patchy going from a mist to a dense impenetrable fog within seconds.

Use your windscreen wipers and demisters

Beware of other road users who are not using their headlights and fog lights.

British weather during the winter months is unpredictable. Bad weather can appear quickly and suddenly. The best advice may well be to stay off the road. However, if you must drive then make sure you are prepared for and respect the conditions.

About the Author

Richard Jenkins is the owner of the driving test and driving schools www.driving-test-success.com