Safe driving in the winter means acknowledging and accepting that conditions on the road can be treacherous. If the prospect of winter driving terrifies you to the core, why not consider a couple of refresher driving lessons to improve your confidence?
Specialist driving tuition really can make a big difference, particularly when it comes to driving in adverse weather conditions.
There is plenty every motorist can and should be doing this winter to stay safe on the roads:
1. Keep an eye on the forecast
First and foremost, try to reduce your risk of being caught up in a bout of seriously bad weather. Keep an eye on the forecast and think about rearranging or delaying non-essential journeys, if there’s a chance of dangerous driving conditions.
2. Check your tyres
When temperatures drop below 7° C, most generic types of tyres lose a lot of their grip on the road. Switching to specialist winter tyres is advisable, but isn’t something most UK drivers do. If you’re using the same tyres all year, keep a close eye on their condition and pressure levels at all times.
3. Set off early
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of giving yourself way more time than you actually need to reach your destination. This way, you’re far more likely to take your time and statistically less likely to find yourself in a dangerous situation on the roads.
4. Slow things down
It’s also essential to reduce the speed at which you drive throughout the winter season. Even if the ground looks perfectly dry and safe, there’s no way of predicting when and where you might hit something slick. This is also where keeping a safe distance from the car in front is essential.
5. Clear your windows fully
Irrespective of how much of a hurry you may be in, never succumb to the temptation to set off before you have fully cleared your windows of ice or snow. The importance of visibility is self-explanatory throughout all four seasons, but is even more essential when the weather is at its worst.
6. Check your car’s condition in general
Fluids, filters, oil, wipers, lights, breaks, tyres and so on – all the kinds of things that should be checked on a regular basis throughout the year. In the winter, the risk of getting stranded at the side of the road or being involved in an accident is significantly higher. Make now the time to check your car’s general condition, if you haven’t done so recently.
7. Avoid peak driving hours
Unless it’s absolutely essential, you should make every effort to avoid driving entirely during peak times. Even if you are driving as safely and sensibly as you possibly can, the same can’t necessarily be said for other motorists.
8. Carry emergency supplies
Planning for every possible eventuality holds the key to staying safe. Just in case you do find yourself in a predicament, it’s worth having a few emergency supplies on hand. Something to eat, something to drink, extra clothes, a powerbank for your mobile phone and so on.
For more information on the benefits of refresher driving lessons or to discuss specialist winter driving tuition in more detail, contact a member of the team at Manchester Driver Training.
