Safety tips for driving in snow and ice

Snow and ice can be hazardous to drivers. More so, if you and your car are not properly equipped to deal with it.

14:45 23 November 2005

Snow and ice can be hazardous to drivers. More so, if you and your car are not properly equipped to deal with it.  

If you have to venture out in a car in wintry conditions, be sure to follow these potentially life-saving tips:

• Slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh turns, braking or acceleration
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles
• Look well ahead to anticipate problems.
• When pulling away, use second gear if possible to avoid wheel spin
• When braking, move into a low gear earlier than normal, allowing the speed to fall, and use the brake pedal gently 
• If in a skid, turn the steering into the skid, easing off the accelerator but not braking suddenly
• When cornering, allow the speed to reduce well before bends and corners by easing off the accelerator. Try to avoid using the accelerator in rounding a corner as it may cause wheel spin and result in a skid
• When encountering black ice - which though not visible can be detected because the steering will feel light and/or the noise created by the tyres on the road will cease - reduce speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking 

Check your tyres

The condition of the tyres should be checked for correct pressure and legal tread depth. The greater the depth, the more efficient the tyre is in wet weather and icy conditions.

Motorists should also remember to check the spare is of legal tread-depth and properly inflated. Failure to do so could result in being stranded and needing to call on expert help.

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Be prepared

If you have to go out during bad weather, it is essential that you put safety before punctuality.

• Allow 10 minutes extra to prepare the car
• Clear all windows of snow or ice using a scraper and de-icer
• Don't drive off like a tank-commander. Wait until you have good all-round vision
• Use water-repellent spray on door locks and then oil them
• Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock - it will just freeze
• Hand-brake cables can freeze but leaving the hand-brake off can be dangerous. Leave it to thaw or call out a garage

Besides carrying an ice scraper and de-icer, it is also worth carrying the following items:

• Torch
• First-aid kit
• Tow rope
• Blankets
• Warm coat
• Boots
• Jump leads
• Snow shovel
• Warning triangle
• Water-repellent spray