Winter driving
A drivers guide from Alphabet
As the leaves fall and the nights close in, once again it’s time for us to make sure we’re ready to
tackle all that the winter roads throw at us. Winter weather can be harsh and driving conditions can
quickly change with poor visibility and snow and ice on the roads – so be prepared and take extra
care when planning your journey.
We’ve put together some simple hints and tips for you to consider this winter which will hopefully
help you get through the season comfortably and without any mishaps.
The vehicle
To prepare your vehicle for winter driving make
sure it has had a complete check-up including:
-
Electrical system (battery, ignition and lights)
Brakes
Tyres
Exhaust
Wipers
Fluids, radiator/antifreeze/heating/cooling
system
It is particularly important to check your tyres are
in good order, and have plenty of tread depth.
The legal limit is 1.6mm, but you should consider
replacing your tyres before they reach this.
Recent research has shown that effective, well
maintained tyres can have a major effect on
stopping distances on wet and slippery roads.
Weekly checks, or when refuelling, are
recommended.
Dirty windows and
mirrors can make it
hard to see as the
low winter sun hits.
Make sure you keep
them clean and free
of ice and snow in colder weather.
It also goes without saying that your windows
should be clear and de-misted before you set off.
Lights can get dirty with all the spray in winter.
Keep them clean and check the bulbs regularly so
you’ll be prepared for lower visibility and shorter
days.
Make sure your vehicle has been serviced properly,
that way it won’t let you down even if the weather
does.
Check your oil and water regularly, and keep your
windscreen washer topped up with the correct
concentration of cleaner fluid.
Are your wiper blades in good condition or are
they leaving streaks on the windscreen? If so,
consider getting them replaced.
The driver
When the clocks go back, many people will be
travelling home in the dark for the first time in
many months.
Before starting the engine, it is a good idea to sit
in your car for a few moments to allow your eyes
to become accustomed to the dark. Remember
you will not be the only one in this position, and
pedestrians may not be wearing proper reflective
clothing, so pay extra attention if you’re driving
near schools or in rural areas.
The sun sits lower in the
sky in winter, and
this can result in glare,
so don’t put away your
sunglasses yet! Remember
also that if the sun is
behind you, it’s in the eyes of those drivers
coming toward you.
Winter weather means we should adjust our
driving style to deal with different challenges to
the rest of the year:
Rain
When the road is wet, it can
take up to twice as long to
stop, therefore it makes
sense to slow down when it’s
raining.
High-sided vehicles are particularly affected by
windy weather but strong gusts can blow a
vehicle, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off
course. This can happen on open stretches of
road exposed to strong crosswinds, or when
passing bridges or high-sided vehicles.
Floods
If you can avoid it, it is
advisable not to drive
through lying surface
water as you might flood
your engine. The deepest
water is usually nearest the kerb.
If you do have to drive through flooded roads,
use first gear. Move forward immediately to
avoid stalling the engine. Keep your revs high
and depress your clutch when you need to.
Test your brakes after passing through the water.
If they work then you can drive on at your usual
speed providing it’s safe to do so.
Fog
Use dipped headlights
so other drivers can see
you. If it is really foggy
(less than 100m visibility)
and you can see very little,
switch your fog lights on. Switch them off once
conditions have improved to avoid dazzling other
drivers.
Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as
visibility improves. You could suddenly find
yourself back in thick fog further up the road.
If your vehicle loses its grip, or ‘aquaplanes’ on
surface water take your foot off the accelerator
to slow down. Do not brake or steer suddenly
because you will have no control of the steering
or brakes.
Ice and snow
Check for snow on the roof of your vehicle and
clear this before you drive off. Snow can slip
down over your windscreen when driving and
obscure your view.
Wind
In very windy conditions we advise you to take
extra care on the roads and plan your journeys
by checking the latest weather forecasts.
If your tyres are making virtually no noise this
could be a sign you’re driving on ice.
If your vehicle skids depress the clutch and turn
the steering wheel into the direction of the skid.
When the vehicle straightens steer along the
road. Don’t brake – it will just lock up your wheels
and you’ll skid further.
The Journey
During bad weather make sure you let people
know where you are going, your route of travel,
and when you expect to arrive. Plan your route
well in advance.
Early onset of darkness can affect people in
different ways. You may find yourself becoming
tired more quickly, so make sure you’re wellrested before starting your journey. Take regular
breaks on long trips and if appropriate, arrange
to stay overnight in a hotel.
An often overlooked issue of driving in the
autumn and winter is the increased chance of
coming across nocturnal animals on the road.
Never drive if fatigued or
under the influence of
alcohol.
Hitting even relatively small
animals such as foxes and
badgers can cause surprising
amounts of damage, but
colliding with a large animal
such as a deer can be
catastrophic.
Allow for extra travelling time or even consider
delaying a trip if the weather is poor. Is an
alternative method of travel possible? Listen to
weather forecasts, and if weather and visibility
are hazardous, ask yourself ‘is this trip really
necessary?’
Bear in mind therefore that animals can be
present in practically all environments, but be
particularly cautious if there is woodland on
either side of the road.
If you do see a deer cross in front of you, slow
down and be prepared to stop as they rarely
travel alone and it is likely that more will emerge.
Driving in winter weather poses many challenges, so most of all it pays to be prepared for the
worst and hope for the best!
Please contact Alphabet on 0370 50 50 100 or visit www.alphabet.co.uk
Alphabet (GB) Limited, Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Tel: 0370 50 50 100.
Registered office address: Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Registered in England and Wales 3282075.
Alphabet (GB) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for general information purposes only and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of
publication (October 2016). Neither Alphabet nor the author can be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from acting on, or
refraining from taking any action, as a result of reading this.