As the Beast from the East has taken its grip on the country we thought we would send out a quick post on driving in these snowy and icy conditions. So if you are taking a vehicle out over the next few days read on!

 

How To Drive In Snow And Ice

• Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible

• Move off in second gear as this will help reduce wheel slip.

• Get your speed right and maintain safe stopping distances between you and the car in front, leaving as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap

• Prepare for an uphill by leaving plenty of room in front so you can maintain a constant speed without the need for changing gear

• Use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless necessary, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front

• When approaching a bend, brake before you actually start to turn the steering wheel. If your car does lose grip try not to panic; the key thing is to take your foot off the accelerator and make sure that your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go in

• If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it.

• When driving in heavy snow, make sure that you use your dipped headlights. Relying on daytime running lights is not enough, because they don’t always put lights on the back of your car.

• If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheel tracks or other vehicles as compressed snow is likely to be more icy than fresh snow

• Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and even gear changing should be operated smoothly and slowly

Please, please…
SLOW DOWN
And…
ALLOW EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN YOU AND THE CAR IN FRONT

 

Only make essential journeys, have a blanket and a fully charged mobile phone with you in the car and remember #staysafe