3 tips for driving in winter

Harsh weather conditions can impact your car’s performance, impede visibility and reduce vehicle control, all of which threaten your safety and the safety of those around you. Follow these three tips for winter driving to help protect yourself against common seasonal dangers.

1. Prepare for cold weather

Cold conditions can impact your vehicle in various ways, making it more difficult to drive safely or preventing you from driving at all.

Prolonged sub-zero periods can dramatically lower your tyre pressure which in turn reduces your stopping distances, fuel efficiency and how much control you have when turning. Consider switching to winter tyres with greater tread depth or even upgrading your vehicle entirely ahead of snowy conditions. You could look into car finance options for more manageable payments.

The battery is especially vulnerable during cold snaps: extra energy is required to start the car, and if this puts the battery under too much strain it’ll go flat, leaving you stranded. Consider getting your battery checked well before the season sets it. Your car’s internal fluids also get thicker and work less effectively in freezing temperatures. Letting your engine warm up for a few minutes before setting off helps to combat this issue.

Frosty mornings also mean obstructed mirrors and windscreens. Having good visibility is a legal requirement for driving in the UK, so ensure you have the means to clear the ice and snow. You can defrost car windows quickly  by using your AC on its warmest setting and targeting your front and rear windscreens. Paired with some physical work with a scraper, you’ll be able to see clearly in no time.

2. Adjust your driving style

For many of us, safe driving is second nature. We’re used to employing defensive driving techniques like scanning ahead for hazards, keeping a good distance from the vehicle in front and cutting out distractions. However, driving in winter when the road is slick with ice and rain requires further precautions.

Generally keep your speed and gears low, closely adhering to all speed limits, especially on country roads gritters rarely reach. When you need to slow down, apply the brakes slowly to avoid skidding. If you do lose traction due to aquaplaning on wet surfaces, don’t panic and hold the steering wheel straight. If you slip on black ice, remember to steer into the skid to maintain more control.

3. Plan journeys in advance

Severe weather conditions can seriously impact roads of all shapes and sizes. Storms with heavy rain and strong wind can lead to flooding and dangerous debris, forcing closures, and snow and ice raise the risk of accidents and can create queues as everyone travels at a steadier speed. Planning journeys in advance is essential to identifying the safest routes – or if you should attempt to travel at all.

Check reliable weather reports the night before your journey and search for traffic updates in the run-up to setting off. Most radio shows run regular traffic reports throughout the day, and tools like Google Maps show traffic levels in real time. You can also find most information online.