Darker days and unfavourable weather conditions can make winter driving troublesome and anxiety-inducing for some. But whilst winter is undoubtedly a more perilous time to get behind the wheel, with the right tools and tricks you can stay safe during colder months.
My ten top tips will help keep you safe out on the roads – even on the frostiest, foggiest, darkest days.
1. Check to make sure your car is winter ready
Now is a good time to give your car a mini-MOT – check your oil levels, washer and anti-freeze and tyre pressure and tread. Keeping these things well-maintained ensures you are as safe as possible out on the roads.
2. Keep breakdown cover to hand
Breakdowns and incidents tend to be more common during winter – so be sure to keep your breakdown company’s details to hand. Most people have these on their phones nowadays stored in email apps or online accounts – but it’s always worth printing off the name of your provider and policy number just in case you don’t have internet access, or run out of battery.
3. Keep an eye on battery health
Winter is a notoriously bad time for battery health. Using our lights, heaters and windscreen wipers often on full speed simultaneously can quickly drain – as can lingering when stationary with the heating and radio on. Keep a set of jump leads in the car and avoid bad habits that can take a toll on battery health.
4. Maintain a safe distance
Keeping a sensible distance between your car and the driver in front is always best practice, even during balmy summer months. But during winter it’s even more crucial to ensure you have plenty of time both to react to potential hazards and stop. You might want to extend your usual stopping distance a little more to allow for slower response times and icy or wet conditions out on the road during winter.
5. Give yourself time
This sounds so simple, but it’s an easy way to stay safe on the roads during winter. Be sure to allow extra time for all your journeys – especially if you’re rushing around buying gifts and food for the festive season. Rushing not only increases the likelihood of accidents out on the road – it can also cause you to speed and get distracted or tired when driving. Stay safe, and take your time.
6. Beware of black ice
A major risk in winter is black ice – almost invisible sheets of potentially deadly ice that are almost impossible to avoid. Driving slowly and carefully (avoiding high speeds and risky manoeuvres) during icy conditions is the best way to prevent skidding on black ice – but when you hit a patch, avoid braking and keep both hands firmly on the wheel.
7. Be prepared
Check your boot or the back of your car and make sure you have some winter essentials – a shovel for snow, a torch, a warning triangle and high vis in case you break down, and a bottle of water to top up your windscreen wipers.
8. Fuel up
Be sure to fill up with fuel before starting long journeys and avoid running low for long periods of time. There’s never a good time to run out of fuel – but in dark, chilly weather it can be unpleasant at best – at worst it could be a hazard to health.
9. Invest in a winter driving course
A winter driving course can cover key concerns such as skidding protocol and what to do during icy conditions. Personalised to you, we’ll run through the key things you’ll need to know when driving during winter months, as well as general car maintenance tips and advice.
10. Take a refresher driving lesson
If lack of driving during lockdown or the onset of winter has caused you to feel some general anxiety getting out and about on the roads, a refresher session will restore some lost confidence and help you to feel safer and more in control even if difficult driving conditions. Confident, careful drivers are safe drivers – so it’s a worthwhile investment, especially if your circumstances have changed or it’s been a while since you passed your driving test.