Winter Driving Tips

As the weather turns colder, we thought it would be a good time to share our tips on driving safely during the Winter months. Even experienced drivers can struggle with fewer daylight hours and poor driving conditions making the roads more dangerous than usual.

Before you set off

• Make sure you have sufficient tread on your tyres and consider switching to all-season or winter tyres if you’ll be making regular journeys during poor weather conditions. The legal minimum tread is 1.6mm, although grip is reduced with less than 3mm so it may be worth replacing your tyres sooner than planned.
• Ensure your front and rear lights are working and not covered in snow. It’s also important to ensure that both number plates are visible.
• Check your fluids. Check your car manually to see if your antifreeze will need topping up and ensure you have enough fuel for the journey.
• Clear your windows and mirrors thoroughly. We recommend clearing snow off your roof first, as it could fall on to the windscreen once the vehicle is moving. All your windows and mirrors should be clear of condensation, ice or snow and we recommend investing in an ice scraper and de-icer to keep in the car too.
• Don’t be tempted to use boiling water to defrost your windscreen, as in extreme temperatures hot water freezes quicker than cold, so you may add a fresh layer of ice. Water dripping on the floor may also freeze and become slippery too.
• It’s a good idea to have an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you get stuck somewhere. Consider keeping a bag in the boot which contains: jump leads or a battery pack, warm clothes and sturdy shoes, a warning triangle, a torch (with spare batteries), a battery pack and charging lead for your phone, a first aid kit, a shovel and some food/drink.

Whilst driving

• Give yourself plenty of time to deal with additional traffic, lower driving speeds and unexpected incidents.
• Keep your distance. Stopping distances can be 10 times longer when the road is icy and slow, gentle manoeuvres are essential to ensure you’re driving safely.
• Consider pulling off in second gear and release the clutch slowly to avoid wheel spin in icy or snowy conditions. Low gears are recommended when driving downhill.
• Be aware of low visibility. Snow, heavy rain and fog will all affect your vision and the vision of other drivers. Be more cautious and considerate than usual.

If you get into difficulties

• If you end up hitting a patch of ice on the road, there are things you can do to recover from it. When you lose control of the car, keep both hands on the wheel and avoid braking. You should also try to steer into the skid – this should help your vehicle straighten up so you can regain control.
• Be familiar with the air conditioning settings within your vehicle in case your windscreen fogs up. If your visibility is compromised, we recommend pulling over in a safe space and allowing the windscreen to clear before continuing your journey.

What about Electric Vehicles?

EVs are generally easier to maintain but naturally still require attention during the winter months.

• Check how your car defrosts – Some EVs have a companion app that allows you to defrost your car without you needing to step outside.
• Beware of range drop – When the weather is colder, the EV battery become less effective which can reduce your driving range. Keep an eye on this and plan accordingly.
• Longer charging time – As well as being less effective, cold batteries also take longer to charge. If you’re driving your EV in colder weather, be aware of the longer charging time needed.

If your business is looking for a comprehensive risk and fleet management system, DAVIS may be suitable for you. We offer several services such as: Licence Checking, Grey Fleet and Fleet Management and Coaching.

To find out more please get in touch.