DRIVERS need to make sure their cars are set up for wintery conditions or risk a fine of up to £2,500.
Snow and ice can make driving a difficult task but there are things drivers can do to make their journeys a little easier – not to mention safer.
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It’s not just driving with care and keeping a distance from other drivers that will keep you safe on the roads this winter.
Sometimes extra precautions need to be taken before the car even hits the road.
Hugo Griffiths of car buying site Carwow says there are simple tips drivers can follow if the forecast is showing snow and ice.
Prepare your car before driving
Make sure you check over your car before setting off for your journey.
Windscreens can get dirty in winter conditions so having your screen wash topped up is a must.
Hugo said: “Take a look at your car’s fluid levels – this includes oil, screenwash and brake fluid – and make sure they’re well within the set limits.
“Topping up the coolant with antifreeze will help prevent pipes from cracking or corroding in cold weather, too.”
???? Read our Highway Code rule changes blog for the latest updates
Keep an emergency winter kit
No driver plans to break down but it happens and often at the most inconvenient times.
It’s best to keep an emergency kit in the car just in case, especially if it’s dark out and temperatures have plummeted.
It’s also worth keeping de-icer in the pack so you have some ready for those frosty mornings.
Hugo said: “A torch, a first-aid kit and some emergency food and drink may also come in handy, while keeping de-icer and a decent scraper in the car will make frosty morning starts less wearisome.”
Check your tyres
Most drivers will tend to forget to check their tyres, but this could be a costly mistake, particularly during the winter.
If your tyres aren’t up to scratch, you’re more likely to skid on the roads – and you could also get a fine.
In the UK and Europe, tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, as experts recommend 3mm.
Having less than 1.6mm or bald tyres can get you a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre – that’s £10,000 if all four are bald.
You could also get three penalty points added to your licence.
While most areas in the UK don’t get Arctic conditions, if you are concerned then it could be worth investing in winter tyres.
Hugo said: “Winter tyres are worth considering, particularly if you cover high mileages or live in areas prone to inclement weather.
“Winter tyres have deeper grooves than summer ones, allowing them to displace water and snow more effectively, while their rubber compounds grip better in colder temperatures.
“All-season tyres are also worth investigating if you don’t want this complication and expense, though.”
Keep your car clean
A car’s licence plate needs to be kept readable at all time.
Plates have to be clear enough to be read by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
If they aren’t readable, drivers could find themselves with a £1,000 fine.
Check your plates, and if they are covered in snow or dirt, give them a clean before driving.
Hugo said: “Give your car a good clean, particularly your windscreen, headlights and number plates.
“Decent visibility is all the more important in the wet and gloomy winter months.”
Drive smoothly
Driving in snow and ice can reduce a drivers grip to the road.
If you suddenly jerk, this can cause your car to lose its grip and control on the road.
Causing an accident due to careless driving, even in bad weather conditions, can see a driver fined.
Motorists can be slapped with an “unlimited” fine and a three to nine-point penalty.
Hugo said: “Above all else, it’s important to drive smoothly in snow and ice, adjusting your speed to the conditions.”
Keep at a distance from other drivers
The old saying is: only a fool, breaks the two-second rule – but you need to leave a bigger gap when the weather conditions are worse.
Keep a good distance between yourself and the driver in front.
If you need to suddenly stop, it can take longer to stop on snow and ice than on normal road conditions.
Hugo said: “It can take up to ten times longer to stop on ice, so adjust your following distance accordingly.”
Be wary when driving on hills
When driving on hills, it’s best to avoid stopping on them when it has been snowing or is icy.
If you think you may have to stop on the hill, either wait at the bottom or the top before travelling further to avoid needing to stop.
Go slowly when driving up and down hills, and keep control of your car at all times.
Hugo said: “When going down hills, slow gradually by going down the gears if you have a car with a manual gearbox or an automatic with a manual mode.”
Brake gently
Braking heavily can make the tyres lock, which means you have less control and could risk a crash.
Hugo said: “Brake more gently and gradually than you would in normal conditions (this is facilitated by leaving longer stopping distances), as heavy braking can lock the tyres.”
Before heading out onto the snowy roads, check our seven do’s and don’ts before driving.
Elsewhere, the revised 2022 Highway Code will come into effect on January 29.
Plus, make sure you are wearing the correct shoes before getting behind the wheel in snowy conditions.
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