In the immortal words of Jon Snow: “Winter is coming.”
UK motorists will face endless hazards over the coming winter months. From low light to wet and icy surfaces, it’s important you stay more alert than ever to stay safe on the road. So with that in mind, here are Aspland Self Drive’s top tips for driving safely on the winter roads.
Top Tip #1 | Think About Increased Stopping Distances
In wet and icy conditions, your stopping distance can increase tenfold. Therefore, it’s important that you apply your brakes early to avoid a nasty rear-end collision. Also, err on the side of caution and drive 10 miles under the speed limit; it will make all the difference should you need to brake suddenly.
Top Tip #2 | Manoeuvre Gently
Bear in mind that everything takes longer on snow or ice covered roads. Whether you need to accelerate, decelerate, stop or turn, give yourself time to manoeuvre by driving slowly. Also, avoid using cruise control when driving on wet, icy surfaces; should you hydroplane (lose the ability to steer or brake), cruise control will make it worse by attempting to keep your vehicle at a constant speed.
Top Tip #3 | Use Your Headlights Correctly
With dark mornings and even darker nights ahead, it’s important that you utilise your headlights in the right way. Dip your lights roughly an hour before sunset and leave them on until an hour after sunrise; this will ensure you remain clearly visible to other motorists. If you travel on an unlit country road, use a full beam to clearly see the road ahead. However, as soon as you see another vehicle, dip your headlights immediately to avoid dazzling them.
Top Tip #4 | Never Underestimate The Wind
We often forget about strong winds in the winter and focus on wet, icy conditions instead. However, high winds can get under a car and significantly affect its handling and braking. Therefore, drive slowly through strong winds to help you anticipate strong gusts and reduce their impact. Also, avoid areas of road that leave you exposed to sudden gusts of wind, and be wary when you pass high-sided vehicles.
Finally, ensure you keep a firm hold on your steering wheel. Strong winds are often inconsistent and can catch you off guard, so a firm grasp will help your maintain control over your wheel. However, do not grip too tightly, as this may restrict your movement.
All our vans for hire are ready for the winter months ahead.
Aspland Self Drive take good care of our hire vans and regularly service them to keep them in peak condition. What’s more, all our vans come with RAC cover should you get into any trouble on the road. Give us a call on 01603 787811 to find out more information!