Check your lights
Your vehicle’s headlights are integral for winter driving. Making sure that they work and are switched on before you set off will ensure that other people on the road and pedestrians can see you clearly on dark mornings and in foggy weather.
Check your tyres
Just like your lights, tyres are a crucial part of winter driving. Making sure that they have the correct tread depth will greatly reduce the likelihood of you skidding on icy roads.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, although it is worth considering getting winter tyres or tyres with a deeper tread.
Keep your distance
Wet and icy roads can dramatically increase stopping distances, so it’s important to keep this in mind whilst you’re driving.
Especially if it’s dark and visibility is limited, you should keep plenty of space between you and the car in front of you so you have as much time as possible to react to hazards.
Use a higher gear
If you’ve decided not to make the switch to electric yet and you still drive a manual vehicle, then travelling in a higher gear can give you more control on slippery roads. If it’s particularly icy, starting in second gear can help you get more grip on the road.
Plan ahead
Whether this by planning your journeys before setting off or taking your time whilst driving, planning ahead will help you to avoid making rushed decisions that could lead to accidents.
Planning ahead will also give you time to de-ice or de-mist your vehicle before setting off so that you don’t get caught in a rush. You should make sure that you can see out of all of your windows before you drive away.
Prepare your vehicle
On top of de-icing/de-misting your vehicle before driving away, you should also make sure that it is fully prepared by checking that your headlights are clean, the battery is charged and all your fluids are topped up (anti-freeze, windscreen wash and oil).
Drive slow
There’s no need to go too fast when conditions are difficult. Reducing your speed, even by a fraction, can go a long way to keeping you and others safe.
Carry a breakdown kit
Cold conditions will make your vehicle more susceptible to breaking down, so making sure that you have all of the essentials on board will be really helpful.
