It’s that time of year again, the winter weather is back with a vengeance hitting our roads hard, it’s therefore paramount that drivers are prepared when driving during the gruelling winter months.
Although it is important to prepare your vehicle in a bid to avoid accidents, sometimes they can’t be avoided. It’s therefore important to know what to do next, if you’ve been involved in an accident that’s not your fault, you can contact Slater and Gordon Lawyers.
There are many actions you can take to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter these include:
Service your vehicle
Your car should receive a full service at least once a year, however, used for commuting or making multiple long journeys it is wise to have it serviced during winter as well.
Check your tyres
To ensure your tyres are ready for wintery conditions such as ice and snow you should check your tyre pressure and the tread depth is above the legal requirement of 1.6mm, with most safety experts recommending it is at least 3mm.
Check your windscreen wipers
Fully working windscreen wipers are a necessity in winter. As wintery conditions can change instantaneously your car needs to be able to adapt quickly and the last thing you need as those winter blizzards hit is to find out your windscreen wipers are not working correctly.
Always check your wipers before a long journey and change them at least once a year. If your windscreen has frozen during the plummeting temperatures, turn on your engine and allow your heaters to de-ice the windows and wipers thoroughly before you turn them on.
Make sure you turn your wipers off before turning off the engine, failure to do so could cause damage to the wipers next time you turn on your engine to a frosted windscreen.
Check your lights
Make sure you check all your lights, including fog lights, are working prior to any journey. Weather conditions can change suddenly causing the sky to darken, it is, therefore, important you can be seen at all times.
Leave distance when driving
Ensure you allow yourself enough time for your journey, as driving conditions deteriorate you should take appropriate action, leaving larger distances between you and other cars as stopping distances in cars can double in wet weather and rise tenfold in snow and ice.
Charge your electricals
Always make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and ready to use should the worst happen and you need assistance.
How would you prepare for your #SeasonalTravels? Share your story with us.