Tips For Winter Driving

With the holiday season fast approaching and the first signs of snow having already appeared in some areas of the country, we at The Driving Force think it is a good time to take a look at some winter driving tips that will help you to handle hazardous conditions caused by rain, snow and ice.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Breaking down is never a good experience, but doing so in the middle of winter can cause major problems. As such, if you’re going for a long drive, particularly in more remote area, be sure to keep an emergency kit with you at all times. This should contain some food, a thermos containing a warm drink and, ideally a sleeping bag or other warm clothing that will ensure you stay warm while waiting for help to arrive.

Winter Tyres

If you have already noticed that your tyres are starting to experience a little bit of wear and tear, it may be a good idea to look into having them switched with winter tyres in preparation for the colder weather. While this will affect performance of the vehicle in warmer months, you will be thankful for the extra grip that they provide when the roads get really slippy and you’re trying to navigate your way home.

Keep Deicer Handy

Your windows are going to ice up fairly regularly when the winter truly rolls around, so it is always a good idea to keep a fresh can of deicer handy to ensure you can clear them up with as little hassle as possible. Whatever you do, don’t simply pour hot water on the window as this may lead to it cracking due to the fast change in temperature, which will only cause you more issues.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

The odds are high that you’re going to be driving a lot slower than usual when the conditions get really cold, both because you are trying to be as careful with your driving as possible and because most other road users will be doing the same. As such, you need to plan your journeys out in advance and try to give yourself plenty of time to make them. Setting out at the same time as you usually do for work may simply result in you being late.

Leave Space

This is a simple tip, but is also one that many people don’t follow. By leaving plenty of space between your car and others you allow for skids and other issues that are often caused by winter driving. While this may result in a slower journey, it is always better to be safe than sorry on the road.

Dropping Gears

If you feel like you may be struggling to maintain control of your car and that it is heading towards a skid, try dropping gears before you start putting your foot on the brake. In many cases, this will allow you to maintain control of the car without leading to the skidding that using the brakes often causes.