Tips For Driving In Snowy Conditions

It may have arrived a little later than was expected, but much of the country is now starting to experience the first snowfalls of the winter period. Of course, any experienced driver will know that such conditions present a range of challenges to even the most seasoned of motorists, so it is understandable is new drivers are a little wary. However, y following these tips you should find that you can enjoy a safe drive without too much hassle.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

remember that snowy conditions will cause you to take your journey more slowly than you normally would, which means you need to give yourself a little more time to complete it. this is particularly important if you use your car for the commute to work, so be sure to start preparing a little earlier so that you still arrive at where you need to be with plenty of time left.

Pack A Winter Kit

Breaking down is never pleasant, but you car failing on you in the middle of freezing cold weather is potentially lethal. Make sure to pack a winter kit that includes blankets, food, a thermos that contains a warm drink, a torch and any other essentials that you think you may need should your vehicle encounter any troubles that would result in you sitting around for a long period of time in the cold.

Drive Slowly

Don’t risk getting up to the speed limit in areas that have been heavily affected by snow, as you run the risk of losing control of your car or causing issues for other drivers. You need to be especially careful of hilly areas, bends and junctions as one false move could result in your car starting to skid. You will need to be even more aware of hazards than you normally are, so take your time, keep your eyes open and keep your speed down.

Go Up A Gear

By driving in lower gears, you may find that your tyres start to struggle when it comes to gaining traction. As such, be sure to keep yourself in a higher gear than you normally would wherever possible. Again, this presents its own challenges as you will need to think very carefully about your gear changes, but it will result in your car being able to grip the road more strongly, thus making the journey much safer.

Always Leave Plenty of Room

Try not to brake as closely to other vehicles as you would normally do, as you can’t fully predict how other cars will act on the road when it is snowy or icy. Give the car in front plenty of room,allowing them to move their own vehicle in whatever way is needed. This will also protect you if the driver in front loses grip on the road and starts going backwards.

Additional Points

The most important thing to do when driving in such difficult conditions is to stay calm and not panic. Remember that everybody else on the road will also be paying careful attention to how they drive, so there is no reason for you to worry as long as you follow the tips above and be careful.