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Driving in snowy conditions
08 February 2021
The weekend saw the UK graced with more snowfall, and weather reports suggest more to come. Despite the lockdown, many of us will continue to make essential journeys such as visiting vaccination centres and with this in mind, the team at Marshall Leasing have compiled this helpful guide to driving in the snow.
Plan ahead
Ask yourself, ‘Is this journey absolutely necessary?’.
If you feel it is safe enough to leave, set of earlier to allow time for slower driving, and potential congestion as other drivers navigate the icy roads.
Don’t forget, driving with snow on your vehicle could cost you up to three penalty points on your driving licence, therefore it is important to allow extra time to thoroughly remove snow from your car.
How to drive in the snow
Accelerate and brake gently to reduce the risk of skidding and it is advisable to drive in as high a gear as possible for the greatest control. Pulling off in second gear will help to prevent the wheels from spinning.
Some cars have a ‘winter/snow mode’, so it may be worth checking your car’s manual.
Remember that 10 times the normal recommended breaking distance is needed in snow/icy conditions.
Use your dipped headlights to aid visibility, or fog lights in extreme conditions.
Avoid the tracks of other vehicles – flattened snow is likely to be more slippery than untouched snow.
Watch out for black ice. Even roads that appear clear might still be a skid-risk. In freezing temperatures, it is important to drive with caution, even if there is not snow on the road.
If you skid…
Drive into the skid. This is something you might have heard from your driving instructor back in the day, and it works. Should you find yourself skidding, you might find it easier to regain control of your vehicle if you drive into the direction of the skid, rather than against it.
Tyres
Bald or worn tyres in the snow are extremely dangerous and can result in loss of control of the vehicle and skidding. We advise that you check that your tyre tread depth before setting off. If you live in an area that is heavily affected by snow, it may be helpful to use snow socks or chains, which provide your tyres with extra grip.
Windscreen wipers and screen wash
If the temperature drops low enough, you might find that your windscreen wipers become frozen to the screen. We recommend that you ensure your wipers are turned off before starting your engine, to prevent the fuse from being blown if they are indeed stuck.
It may also be useful to top up your screen wash with anti-ice wash to prevent the water from freezing and rendering your wipers unusable.
(Of course, never pour warm/hot water onto your windscreen, as this can cause it to crack).
We trust that you find this information useful. Driver safety is our top priority and we would be delighted to assist with managing risk for your fleet. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01480 414541 or email info@marshall-leasing.co.uk to find out more.
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