Driving in the Snow – What You Need to Know

Snow is hitting the UK today and many kids and office workers are hoping for a snow day – but for those who can’t stay home, driving in the snow is a challenge.  Even if you love the snow and everything it brings, the best way to stay safe is to avoid driving in snow or icy conditions.

If you really must drive in the snow, here are some tips to keep you safe:

• Get a good set of tyres. Your car’s suspension might struggle when driving through snow and ice. Investing in a new set of tyres can improve your vehicle’s ability to grip the road and stay on it even when conditions are less than ideal.
• Keep an emergency kit in your car at all times and charge your phone before heading out! It’s always important to be prepared for anything that may happen while you’re on the road—even if you’re just going from point A to point B with no stops along the way. And this goes double for winter weather! Be sure that everything has been checked before taking off on any journey; remember: safety first!
• The best tyres for driving in snow are ones that have lots of tread (those grooves on the side). Tyres with less or no tread are worse and can cause your car to slide on slippery roads.

Check your route before you leave

Keeping an eye on the weather forecasts for your route will help you avoid driving in the snow unnecessarily.  As well as weather reports from the Met Office and Accuweather, the #UKSnow Map will let you know where users have reported snow in the UK.

Keep an emergency kit in your car and charge your phone before heading out.

It’s important to have an emergency kit in your car at all times, regardless of the weather. You never know when you’ll need those supplies, and they can help in a pinch. Make sure yours includes:

• First aid kit
• Ice Scraper And De-icer
• Flashlight (and check the batteries!)
• Blanket
• A coat and a warm jumper
• Water (or another non-alcoholic beverage)
• Food (granola bars and trail mix work great)
• Powerbank (most powerbanks will give you two extra charges on your mobile phone in an emergency)

Plan your route to avoid hills and ice patches.

You’ll need to plan for extra travel time, and avoid hills and ice patches.

Here are some things that can make winter driving more difficult:

• Slow down. It’s a good idea to slow down by 10 mph in the winter, especially if you’re driving on snow or ice. If there’s an accident ahead of you, you need to have time to react if someone suddenly stops or slows down unexpectedly.
• Use a GPS app or mapping service to find alternate routes around hills or other areas where traction could be worse than expected. This is particularly important if your vehicle doesn’t have all-wheel drive (AWD). If you’re not sure what kind of tyres your car has, check with your mechanic before hitting the road this winter!

Slow down and be aware of other drivers.

The single best thing you can do to stay safe in the snow is to slow down. The faster you’re moving, the longer it’ll take for your tires to grab on if they lose traction, which means that if you have an accident it’ll be worse than it would be at a lower speed. Slowing down also gives other drivers more time to react and brake safely if needed.

Be aware of other drivers’ habits when driving through winter conditions. Know that some people are more likely than others (especially those who live in the area) to tailgate or follow too closely on slippery roads; drive defensively and anticipate problems before they arise!

Beware of black ice.

• Black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on the road surface. It can be hard to see, so it’s important to slow down and use extra caution when driving in the snow.
• If you hit black ice and lose control of your car, stay in your vehicle. The worst thing you can do is try to run out on foot.

Be safe out there!

As you’re driving in the snow, remember to be careful. Here are some tips for staying safe on the road:

• Use caution and drive slower than usual. The roads can be slippery when it snows, so don’t go too fast!
• Pay close attention to other drivers. Watch out for cars pulling out from driveways, pedestrians crossing streets and other hazards that may appear suddenly in snowy weather.
• Keep your windshield wipers and defroster on full blast at all times to keep visibility high.

Conclusion

If you expect to be driving in snow, don’t let it be your last mistake! Make sure that your car is in good working order and has a full tank of gas before heading out. You should also make sure that everyone in your family knows how to use safety equipment such as seat belts or child restraints. As for driving techniques, slow down and pay attention at all times because other drivers might not know how to handle conditions like these either.

Finally, always keep an emergency kit with you so that if you have an accident, or conditions worsen, you are equipped to respond.