Emergency Kit

Everyone should make an emergency kit and keep it in your car even if it for a short journey Your emergency kit should be personal to you but some ideas of what to include:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Water and Snack
• Long Journey recommend a flask of Tea or Coffee
• Torch and spare batteries or a wind-up torch
• Warm clothes and blankets - for you and all passengers
• Boots
• First aid kit and personal medication
• Jump leads  
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses (the glare of snow can be dazzling)
•  Full charged mobile phone
• Emergency number separate your Recovery companies details 
•  Warning triangle

Getting your car ready for Winter

It's worth making these checks regularly - and particularly before a long winter journey:

If you are not confident checking the items below many Garage and Tyre Fitter offer these check Free of Charge or for a small fee.

Before winter weather arrive, check that you vehicle is properly maintained and serviced.

Washer bottles are full and contain anti-freezing / cleaning additive (not just water
as can freeze)

Radiator contains anti-freeze and the cooling system is free from leaks.

Battery is in good condition

Windscreen wiper and washer are working effectively

Make sure all your lights are working

Tyres have plenty of tread depth, are in good condition and correctly inflated (dont forget the spare

A simple way to check the tyre tread is with a 20p

 
Weather and driving advice

Before setting out on a journey during winter weather conditions make the following checks:

Check the Highways Agency’s information services to check for delays on the major roads. They work closely with the Met Office, so they’ve got the latest information on weather conditions too

Ensure that the vehicle has a full fuel tank give an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination

Make sure your emergency kit is in the car

finally ask yourself if the journey necessary

Clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights and number plates. Make sure you can see clearly and be seen.

Once on your way

•If you get into trouble, try not to abandon your vehicle, stay with it until help arrives

• If you are forced to leave your vehicle make yourself visible by wearing a fluorescent /reflective tabard / jacket.

Driving tips

• Use dipped headlights in poor visibility

• reduce your speed compared to ‘normal’ driving conditions

• keep a safe stopping distance behind the vehicle in front. It takes much longer to stop in wet or icy conditions

• avoid harsh braking, acceleration and steering

• keep a careful watch out for other road users especially motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and young pedestrians.

Different Weather Condition Driving Tips

Snow

Falling snow reduces visibility so always switch on your dipped headlights. Lack of adhesion can occur even on treated roads so drive slowly in the highest gear possible, manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking.

Ice

It is often difficult to see ice on the road. If you suspect that the road surface is covered in ice it is essential to do everything more carefully than normal. Slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh braking.

Rain

Heavy rain will reduce visibility, particularly from vehicle spray. Always use your dipped headlights and reduce speed. At night, wet conditions worsen the glare from headlights so again, slow down.

Hail

Hail can occur unexpectedly; slow down and use dipped headlights. After a Hailstorm the road surface will be slippery so drive carefully.

Fog

In fog, drive very slowly using dipped headlights. When visibility is seriously Reduced to below 100 metres (328ft) also use front and rear fog lamps. Remember to switch them off when visibility improves. Use your windscreen wipers and demisters to improve visibility. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance you can see clearly. Do not hang on to the tail lights of
the vehicle in front as it can give a false sense of security. When you slow down, use your brakes so that your brake lights warn drivers behind you.

When ‘FOG’ is shown on a roadside signal but the road appears to be clear, be prepared
for a bank of fog ahead. Fog can drift rapidly and is often patchy.

Car Seat Safety

When the temperature drops, some parents like to bundle up their children in a snow suit or puffy coat, but wearing one can be extremely dangerous if the child rides in a car seat.

The puffy, soft suits and coats can often compress during a crash, creating much more space between the child and the harness, often enough space to lift the child out of the seat without unbuckling. An option is to use those thin layers, or just take the coat off, secure them in the seat, and then wrap a blanket around them or put their coat on backwards over the car seat.

Defrosting your car

With the onset of the coldernwinter weather, motorists are being advised not to leave their cars running unattended in the mornings in order to defrost windscreens.

The temptation to save a little time and let the car warm up while you finish getting ready for work is an invite to have your car stolen by unscrupulous thieves.

“I know we’re all on a tight schedule in the mornings, but let’s not make it easier for criminals,” said Sergeant Kelvin Briggs of Communities and Partnerships. “This time of year does see an increase in the number of opportunistic thefts of cars.

“Why make your car cosy for criminals? For the sake of an extra five minutes you could prevent yourself being a victim of crime – and a very costly and inconvenient one at that.
Insurance companies are unlikely to pay up if you’ve not left it secure when unattended.”

I hope some of the tips above help when driving this winter.

Be safe and prepared for every journey.