|
Check lights and window wipers are functioning correctly.
Keep your battery fully charged. You should check your
tyres are
safe with sufficient tread and the correct tyre pressure. In wintry
conditions there are steps that can be taken that may help you with your
journey.
Must you make the journey? Check local and national radio
or the Highway Agency's
weather alerts for travel and
weather information so you know what to expect. Always clear your
windows, mirrors and lights before you set off on your journey, and make
sure you have a window ice removing scraper and de-icer. Prepare some warm
clothes, boots, food and torch, mobile phone if you have one and a spade if
it is snowy conditions. Don't attempt to use the spade to dig yourself or
others out unless you are healthy enough to do so, it may be useful to lend
to someone else. Tell someone about your journey's destination and estimated
arrival time.
Snow, hail, fog and rain can all reduce visibility so slow
down and use dipped beam headlights. If you get into difficulties whilst
driving in wintry conditions there are steps you can take that may help. If
motorway driving the emergency roadside phones may be the best to use as the
rescue services will easily be able to locate you. If you must use your
mobile phone then ensure you know your location from the marker posts at the
side of the hard shoulder which are numbered. Never use your mobile phone
whilst driving, either ask a passenger to make the call or stop in a safe
place to make the call. Snow ploughs, breakdown and
emergency vehicles need clear access, so stay with your vehicle until
help arrives. Abandoned vehicles may slow down or even stop the road being
cleared quickly. If you must abandon your vehicle to get help try to leave
your vehicle as far over to the side of the road as possible and make sure
you can be seen by other drivers avoiding
pedestrian accidents. When driving in icy, snowy or slushy conditions
slow down and stay alert.
It can take a much greater distance to stop on icy, snowy
or slushy roads than it does on a dry road, so allow plenty of room to slow
down or stop and drive slowly but safely. When braking on icy, snowy or
slushy roads get in a low gear early, allow your speed to fall and brake
gently trying not to lock your wheels. If you start skidding ease off the
accelerator and avoid braking suddenly causing the wheels to lock.
Whilst driving use the highest gear possible, it will help
you avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvring, accelerating and braking should be done
gently to help avoid skidding. In Foggy conditions there are things you
should be prepared for. Drive very slowly in foggy conditions using dipped
headlights. Fog can be extremely patchy, and if visibility is reduced
drastically fog lights should be used, not forgetting to turn them off again
when visibility improves sufficiently.
Don't follow the lights of the vehicle in front of you,
this can give you a false sense of security and may mean you are driving too
close. If you think the fog is clearing don't accelerate quickly, it could
be patchy and you may find that you are in thick fog again very soon. What
you can expect from snow ploughing and salting vehicles. Snow ploughing can
leave behind large and irregular snow piles which may be hazardous to other
vehicles. If you are driving behind one keep a safe distance and don't try
to overtake it. Gritters or salting vehicles can spread salt across all the
lanes of a carriageway and can travel at up to speeds of 40mph. You should
not try to overtake and should keep a safe distance behind; if the salt is
hitting your vehicle you are too close.
Drivers of winter service vehicles will take all
reasonable precautions to protect other road users. The Highways Agency is
an executive agency of the Department of
Transport. They are responsible for the motorways and major 'A' roads in
England.
They aim to prevent
road accidents in wintry
conditions by pre-treating and clearing roads under their jurisdiction. In
rainy and flooded conditions you should be aware of the following. The
stopping distance for drivers in wet conditions will be at least double of
that on dry roads due to tyres not gripping as well in the wet.
Travelling vehicles will give off spray making it
difficult to see and be seen in wet weather. Keep your distance from the
vehicle in front, it allows you better visibility so you can plan for whats
ahead.
Steering may become unresponsive in the wet when your
tyres lose grip, slow down by gently releasing the accelerator. In flooding
stop if you think the water is too deep for your vehicle.
If crossing deep water try to find a path across the
shallowest part, often by the kerb will be the deepest. Drive slowly in
first gear through flood water, but keeping the engine revs high by slipping
the clutch, this will help in preventing you from stalling. It is important
to test your brakes to ensure they are working correctly after you have
crossed flood water before you drive off at normal speed. |
