4th Jan 2010

Be ready for severe weather - advice to drivers

Introduction
Wind and rain, ice and snow – winter can throw the very worst at us. So to help you prepare for travel this season, here’s some helpful advice from the Highways Agency.

For a smoother journey, check your vehicle is ready for winter
Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It’s worth making these checks regularly – and particularly before a long journey:

• Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator
• Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
• Ensure your windscreen is clean
• Replace the battery if it’s not reliable
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum. For further information please see http://www.tyresafe.org/

For peace of mind, always carry an emergency kit
Gather a few items and keep them in your car – just in case. Below are items that should be in your Emergency Kit:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump leads
• Food and a warm drink in a thermos
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Sunglasses – the glare off snow can be dazzling

For a safer journey, drive to the road conditions
Even after roads have been treated, driving conditions may remain challenging especially on stretches of road where there’s greater risk of side winds or of ice forming. These include places where: -

• Remember that local conditions, such as bends or overhanging trees, can mean that road surfaces may need you to drive with care even after they have been treated with salt.
• Where the road passes under a bridge
• Objects at the side of the road create shade
• There is infrequent traffic
• It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. Keep your distance. Allow extra room to slow down and stop.
• If the weather becomes severe, don’t drive unless you have to – delay your journey until it improves. Give our winter fleet time to get out and do their job

Be a smarter driver – check traffic and weather updates
Before you set off, it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren’t any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too – but remember not to use your phone while driving.

• Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx
• Check the weather at metoffice.gov.uk
• Call the Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30
• Tune into DAB Traffic Radio

Remember to take regular breaks from driving – tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

Think ahead move ahead.