Winter driving tips

Northamptonshire Casualty Reduction Partnership has issued a series of winter safety driving tips ahead of the predicted cold snap. The Partnership is urging motorists to prepare their vehicles for the winter as the weather turns colder and driving conditions become more treacherous.

With frosty mornings and freezing conditions expected, casualty reduction officers are advising drivers to take extra care on the roads and be prepared.
The following checks should be carried out before you drive:

· Anti-freeze – add anti-freeze to the radiator of your car. Also, to help keep your windscreen clean, add winter additive to the windscreen wash
· Battery – keep your battery fully charged
· Service – make sure your car has had a service and is well maintained
· Lights – make sure that all lights are working
· Tyres – your tyres should have the correct amount of air in them, and have plenty of tread depth
· Wipers – change the blades on your windscreen wipers if they are worn
· Windows – clear your windows and mirrors so that it is easier to see out. The glare of the low winter sun can make it difficult to see through dirty windscreens
· Emergency kit – create an emergency kit and keep this in the back of your car

This should include -

· Ice scraper and de-icer
· Torch and spare batteries
· Warm clothes and a blanket
· Boots
· First aid kit
· Jump leads
· Mobile phone charger
· Food and a warm drink in a vacuum flask
· A shovel
· Reflective warning sign
· Road atlas
· Sunglasses (the glare off snow can be dazzling)
· Don’t forget to take any personal medication too

The Partnership has also issued a number of driving tips:

· Allow extra time for your journey and let someone know the route you will be taking
· Use your headlights and fog lights in thick fog, but remember to turn them off when the weather has cleared
· Slow down – lower your speed in poor visibility or poor road conditions
· Keep a good distance from the vehicle in front and anticipate what other vehicles might do – they might not be able to stop quickly
· Look out for the tell-tale glistening on road surfaces in icy conditions
· When stopping, brake lightly to avoid skidding
· Don’t make any sudden manoeuvres – drive as smoothly as you can
· If the weather conditions are very poor do not travel unless you really have to

For more handy tips when driving this winter visit: www.highways.gov.uk/winter