Safer Driving this Winter
Last year saw some of the most treacherous driving conditions that drivers have had to face for years. Sub Zero temperatures and deep. relentless snow made driving hazardous, with poor visibility and excess amounts of snow, and then sludge on the roads eventually forcing a standstill. The snow was definitely something best enjoyed watching from a window with a mug of hot chocolate but many still had to venture out for work, particularly those who worked for the emergency services.
With Winter now just around the corner, the one thing that can be guaranteed, unfortunately, is that there will be more accidents on the roads. Sleet, ice, snow and wind and fog all make conditions difficult, and call for extra care on behalf of drivers.Before Winter is upon us, now is the time to make sure that your vehicle is Winter ready. It is not worth leaving anything to chance when it comes to your car.
- Extend your Warranty. It is a true fact that any underlying mechanical issues in your vehicle can escalate as temperatures plummet. This makes extending your warranty on your car a good idea. You need to check with your dealership, but many makers do offer this, for instance Audi offers an extended Audi warranty on their cars.
- Get your car checked over. Some brands, like Volkswagen, offer this for free. This includes checking the lights, wiper blades, brakes, battery condition and windscreen washers, all of which can suffer in the winter cold and render you stranded. You can check out garages and your own dealership to see if they are offering their own checks and tests.
- Check those tyres too. The legal tread limit is less effective at removing water, so you may need to change your tyres before you actually reach the legal limit. If you need to replace your tyres, you can buy tyres online with just a few clicks
- Leave a bigger gap between your car and the one in front, your stopping distance will increase in poor weather conditions.
- When it does snow – re-route. Avoid country lanes, roads that haven’t been gritted, roads that are little used if at all possible. Your journey may take longer, but it will be safer.
When you are making journeys, especially longer ones at Christmas, be prepared. Have drinks, mobile phone charger, a torch, blankets and food, just in case you hit a traffic jam or have any other problems.
Be safe this year rather than sorry.