Many motorists feel nervous about driving in snow and icy conditions. Here's what you need to know.
- Check your vehicle is safe - many garages offer a free or inexpensive Winter check that covers the battery, lights, fluids and tyres.
- The legal minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm but for optimum safety consider a replacement if the depth is below 3mm.
- Winter tyres improve safety in all types of hazardous weather - snow, ice and rain. However it does mean paying for a spare set of tyres and you'll need to find storage for your regular tyres.
- Snow socks and snow chains should only be used on snowy or icy roads and removed once you are on a cleared road. Snow chains in particular can be cumbersome to fit and remove. (Halfords.com has a useful tool - you input your car reg and it displays the suitable chains/socks and prices.)
- Always drive smoothly over ice and avoid sudden braking and accleration.
- Stick to main roads that are likely to have been cleared and gritted.
- Join a breakdown service and always keep an emergency kit in the car - including a coat, boots, a high-visibility jacket, food and water, a de-icer and scraper, a torch, a spade and a charged mobile phone with your breakdown provider's details.
Cyclists need to take care too. (
Some of the motoring tips also apply to cyclists - checking your bike, going smoothly, sticking to bigger roads.)
- Brainy Bike Lights (brainybikelights.com) - attach to the front and rear of your bike. An illuminated bike symbol alerts drivers to your two-wheeled status. Research suggests that seeing the bike symbol helps drivers' brains to quickly recognise a cyclist. A great alternative to standard bike lights. Battery operated.
Feature in
Good Housekeeping November 2014
