Posted on January 04, 2018
Be prepared for driving on icy roads
Heading out onto the roads poses many challenges for drivers in winter. We’ve already put together some top tips on driving in snowy conditions, but it’s also important to plan ahead for driving if the roads are icy.
Firstly, you should consider if your journey is really necessary, and if not, stay at home until the conditions have improved. If you do have to travel, you should:
- Check your tyre treads are at least at a legal limit. Grip on the roads is reduced in icy conditions, meaning braking distances increase by up to ten times.
- Make sure you keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle containing a charged mobile phone, in-car charger or power pack, a blanket, rug or sleeping bag, shovel, ice scraper and de-icer, torch and batteries, extra screen wash and some snacks and water. Also make sure you are wearing footwear suitable for the conditions in case your vehicle gets stuck and you need to walk.
- Let people know your planned route and arrival time.
- Ensure all windows and mirrors are completely clear before you set off. The Highway Code says that you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle.
- When driving, look ahead for potential hazards including patches of ice and drive at a low speed. Accelerate and brake as smoothly as possible to reduce the chances of skidding.
- Driving in a higher gear can help with tyre grip and traction on packed ice. Some automatic vehicles will let you select second gear to pull away in, helping with grip.
- Quiet roads or shaded stretches of roads, bridges and tunnels may be affected by black ice. If you do hit a patch, don’t panic. Keep the steering wheel straight and don’t hit the brakes. If necessary, use the gears to slow down.
If you would like to get your tyres checked before your next journey in icy conditions, contact our Carlisle or Ripon depots.