Prepare for winter driving and look forward to cheaper car insurance
Crashing in winter conditions could greatly harm the possibility of securing cheap car insurance at your next policy renewal date. To help in the cold weather, duck2water has prepared a reassuring guide to safer and happier motoring in what can be treacherous conditions.
It is a terrifying prospect to start sliding on icy roads. As control is lost, the driver may be transfixed in his or her seat, bravely trying to regain traction by pumping up and down hard on the brakes, trying to steer into the skid. That's if the driver even knows what to do as a slide gets underway.
To help avoid that terror, here's a few tips to aim to avoid perilous, icy slides - and, heaven forbid, subsequent crash - and other winter emergencies.
Use common sense. By thinking ahead and checking weather conditions before embarking on a trip, you can avoid driving when the weather is poor. Simply postpone the journey.
As with anything, prevention is always a better solution than trying to sort out an emergency. So check that tyres are inflated to correct levels and not worn down - proper grip could make the difference between either walking away from a crash or being injured. Tyres inflated with too much pressure are more likely to cause skidding.
If heavy snow begins to fall during a journey and road conditions begin to deteriorate, pull off the road until the situation improves. It may be necessary to stay overnight in a hotel, travel lodge or bed and breakfast.
Another useful tip is to reduce speed in poor weather conditions. Just because the speed limit is 70 mph doesn't mean you should keep travelling at that speed. Travelling too fast in winter conditions can lead to the worst kind of disaster - death!
Maintenance
It is important to keep cars well maintained in the winter to avoid unnecessary breakdowns. For that reason, there are also some tips here to help you avoid the experience of a breakdown or crash in the UK.
- Clean lights and windscreen - Wipe and clear dirt and smudges regularly, probably at least weekly. Top up screen wash with a winter anti-freeze solution. Cover the windscreen at night to help stop ice forming. And windscreen wipers should work well by being able to clear the glass. Consider replacing them if necessary.
- Test brakes - In winter, these must be in their best condition to ensure your vehicle can stop within safe distances.
- Check levels of antifreeze and oil - Keeping an eye on your antifreeze is essential or your car's engine will become damaged. Similarly, checking the type of oil being used and the engine oil level is vital for winter motoring.
- Charge battery - Winter can take its toll on batteries when extra use of lights and heaters place heavy demands on the car for more power. Consider replacing the battery if the car is regularly struggling to start on cold and damp mornings.
- Don't forget your air conditioning - Running the car's air conditioning for half an hour a week can prevent the system corroding.
- Prepare for emergencies - Pack various useful items in your car that could be used in the event of an emergency. These could include a mobile phone (charged!), torch (working!), warm blanket, water, snack, tow rope, spare bulbs and fuel, fluorescent jacket, jump leads, warning triangle, first aid kit, wellies, emergency tyre weld, ice scraper or de-icing spray and fire extinguisher.
Snow, sleet, hail, frost or snow are not kind to cars or their occupants. We hope this guide to winter driving will help ensure you have taken all necessary steps to keep you motoring through what is a difficult season of the year for driving. All being well, by following these steps you'll avoid crashes and emergencies and can look forward to a cheaper insurance quote for your car at renewal time next year.
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