Driving in severe winter conditions can be hazardous. If you must drive in these conditions, following some simple guidelines will help ensure your safety and that of your vehicle.
Allow extra time before departure to clear snow and ice from your vehicle, and anticipate longer travel times. Plan your travel around major roads, which are more likely to be cleared or salted. Dress in warm clothing and comfortable footwear, and bring a hat, gloves, sturdy boots, and a blanket in case you become stranded. If possible, bring some food, chocolate, cookies, water, and a hot drink. Always carry a fully charged mobile phone, a snow shovel, and carpet scraps or cat litter to place under the tyres if necessary.
Consider purchasing winter tyres for improved traction, or ensure that your standard tyres are properly inflated and have 3mm of tread. To prevent ice from forming, keep your car’s battery charged and your screenwash topped off, and use an anti-freeze with the correct concentration. Overnight, place a piece of cardboard between the windscreen wipers and the windscreen. Keep your fuel tank full so that if you become stranded, you can get home or run the engine to stay warm.
Before driving, remove all snow and ice from the windscreen, windows, and roof of the vehicle. Avoid using water to de-ice, as it can shatter glass and refreeze. Many automatic cars have a’snow’ or ‘winter’ mode for the gearbox, whereas manual vehicles should pull away in second gear by lifting the clutch gently to prevent wheel spin. Maintain the appropriate speed for the conditions, brake, steer, and accelerate as smoothly as possible, and leave a greater distance than usual behind the vehicle in front of you. On highways, use the lane free of snow, ice, and slush.
If you get stuck, do not try to keep moving as you will only dig yourself in deeper. Use a shovel to remove snow from beneath your tyres, and then spread cat litter or sand in front of them to improve traction. To get the vehicle moving, shift from forward to reverse and back again and apply a light touch to the accelerator. If you are unable to move your vehicle, you can run the engine for warmth, but you must ensure that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, as toxic fumes could enter the vehicle. If you become lost in heavy snow, stay close to your vehicle or hang a brightly coloured cloth on it to alert others of your presence.
Driving in wintry conditions requires careful planning and preparation. Knowing how to handle adverse weather conditions can protect you, your vehicle, and other motorists.
