Winter Driving Safety

Winter Driving Safety, how to prepare and drive in winter conditions

Winter driving safety when perhaps traveling in snowy and icy conditions is something where preparation can make all the difference to your journey.

The best advice if conditions are really bad is not to drive at all unless you really have to travel and have no other means of getting to where you need to go.

If you have to drive, there are a number of things you can do prior to traveling which will help, should you encounter problems along the way.

Here are some checklist winter driving safety tips to carry out prior to driving if conditions are bad.

Preparation and checks

1) Check your car fully before leaving - brakes, tires and spares, wheel jack and brace, water coolant with antifreeze, oils levels, fan and timing belts, car heater, windscreen wipers, plenty of screen wash with antifreeze and take de-icers for windscreens.

2) Make sure someone like a family member knows you are traveling and when and where you are going.

3) Be sure your car battery is in good condition and that connections are sound. Think about fitting a heavy duty battery for the car and carry some jump leads in the car.

4) Carry a good mobile/cell phone with you, fully charged and also a car charger.

5) Pack a thermos of hot water into the car, which is useful for thawing out anything which may freeze up. Take some food and drink with you.

6) Carry a tough flashlight with good batteries.

7) Pack some warm and waterproof clothes into the boot of the car, like thermal long johns, thermal gloves, thermal hats and socks, warm jackets and some blankets.

8) Pack a small tool kit into the trunk and carry some extra bulbs for the main lights on the car. Take a tow rope in the trunk and a shovel for clearing snow if you get stuck.

A bag of salt or sand will come in handy to throw in front of the tires for traction if you get stuck as will two short length flat pieces of wood (not laminated). These can be wedged in front of the drive wheels to provide grip if the car gets stuck.

9) Have an up to date road atlas with you or sat nav or both. A pair of sunglasses can also help protect from glare from the low winter sun.

10) In severe conditions use snow tires or fit snow tire chains.

Moving on from preparing for your journey here are some of the best tips for driving in snow or icy conditions

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