Leading road safety organisation the Institute of Advances Motorists (IAM) has issued a call for motorists to keep safe as the temperatures plummet.
Mark Lewis, director of standards at the charity, said: “Even when frost thaws, ice will stay around areas that are often shaded or near bridges that are exposed to wind-chill. Consider how you drive through these micro-climates and be prepared to slow down if you need to. If road conditions are too slippery, simply avoid starting your journey.”
He went on to issue a series of driving tips to help motorists stay safe on Britain’s winter roads.
Firstly, prepare your car fully before setting off by properly clearing windows and side mirrors, and using the heater settings to remove mist and condensation. A couple of common habits could do more harm than good – pouring hot water over your frozen windscreen is not advisable as it will quickly freeze up again, and do not apply heat to a door lock as modern ones usually contain plastic components.
Tyre condition is never more vital than in adverse conditions. The legal minimum tread depth should be at 1.6mm, but the IAM recommend at least 3mm to minimise skid risk. If you can afford them, winter tyres do offer a real grip advantage.
If you have a manual gearbox, avoid using high revs and set off gently in second gear, improving control and reducing the risk of wheel spin. For automatic vehicles, select the ‘winter’ mode, (if there is one), which will automatically lock out first gear and reduce the risk of wheel spin.
If you find your car losing grip, take your foot off the accelerator and point the front wheels in the direction you want them to go. Keep all steering and braking inputs as gentle as possible in icy conditions. Front-wheel-drive vehicles are generally better in icy conditions, but if your car is a rear-wheel-drive always take it extra slow and steady when changing direction.
Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front, especially in slippery conditions. The same applies for when you’re approaching a junction or a sharp bend. Drive at a steady speed that allows you to stop well within the available distance.
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