A simple guide to safe winter driving

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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 434
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 Time: 1:20 AM
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With the winter weather well and truly upon us it's important that we take the necessary precautions when taking to the roads in such unpredictable weather. First and foremost, it's important to keep tabs on local weather forecasts so that you are aware of any imminent icy or snowy weather.

Your best bet is to simply avoid driving in such adverse weather condition wherever possible - but if you really must make the journey then take extreme care and allow much more time for your journey than you normally would. Head out to your vehicle at least 10 minutes before you plan to set off in order to get the car warmed up and allow the windscreen and/or rear windscreen heaters to work their magic. In the meantime, take to the gathered ice with some de-icer and a scraper; it's vitally important that you can see the whole road ahead of you and all relevant surroundings, so don't be tempted to just clear a small window in the ice to peer out of - get it all removed before you set off.

It's also important to clear any snow from the roof of the car that might otherwise fall from the car and into the path of other road users during your journey as this could cause a hazard. Also ensure that your lights are clean and that your number plates are clearly visible.

Once it's time to set off, drive with extreme caution - even if the roads don't seem too hazardous at first glance, looks can be deceptive. Black ice is essentially undetectable but is the cause of so many accidents during winter, so take it steady. Stay well back from the vehicle in front of you as stopping distances during icy or snowy weather can be up to ten times greater than average stopping distances on dry roads.

Also be prepared for the fact that road conditions can change drastically over short distances and over a short period of time. Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible and avoid sudden actions as a general rule. Accelerate and brake in a gentle manner and drive particularly slowly on bends as this is where you're very likely to lose control if you aren't careful. Brake progressively as you approach the start of the bend and steer smoothly around the corner.

Even with the best preparation, the simple fact is that accidents are more likely to occur during snowy and icy weather, so also make sure your car insurance is fully up to date before you hit the roads.

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