(8) Advice for Particular Weather Conditions:

• Fog is especially a danger in autumn and winter, and is a major cause of collisions.
• Slow down –keep your distance.
• Drive very slowly using dipped headlights.
• Use fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced, but remember to switch them off when visibility improves.
• Don’t hang on the tail lights of the vehicle in front – this gives you a false sense of security and means you may be driving too close.
• Don’t speed up suddenly – even if it seems to be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.
• Ice, snow and slush drastically reduce the ability of your tires to grip the road, which means that slowing down, speeding up, or changing direction all become hazardous.
• The trick to driving in these conditions is to be as smooth as possible.
• Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
• It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road.
• Manoeuvre gently, and avoid harsh braking and acceleration.
• To brake on ice and snow without locking your wheels, allow your speed to fall, and use the brake pedal gently.
• If you skid, ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.

FLOODS:

It is best not to enter floodwater at all – if you can take an alternative route, do so. If you enter floodwater:

• Drive slowly in first gear, but keep the engine speed high -this will stop you from stalling.
• Go through the water one vehicle at a time.
• Avoid the deepest water, which is generally near the curb.
• Don’t attempt to cross if the water seems too deep. Watch others!
• Remember – test your brakes a few times after you are through the flood before you drive at normal speed.

REMEMBER:

• Be sure to give cyclists and motorcyclists extra room in bad weather.
• Glare from the low winter sun can be dangerous.
• Carry a pair of sunglasses in the car just in case it’s too low for the visor.
• It takes twice as long to stop on a wet road as it does on a dry one, and up to ten times longer in icy conditions.

“AFSI wishes you safe and happy travels”

Please forward the information to others who may find it useful and ask them to email us if they require more information.

(7) If You Do Break Down:

• If you get into trouble, stay with your vehicle if possible, until help arrives.
• If you do have to leave your vehicle, make yourself visible to others.
• If you have to abandon your vehicle, give local police the details and park safely to avoid obstruction to maintenance vehicles such as snow ploughs when they are trying to treat the roads.

(6) Generally, When Driving in Wintry Weather:

• Drive according to the conditions – on treated and untreated roads.
• Reduce speed in poor visibility, where there is snow, or if ice may have formed.
• Avoid harsh braking and acceleration.
• Maintain larger safer stopping distances – three seconds between vehicles is for good conditions!
• A wet road surface means you’ll take twice as  long to stop, so you need to be at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front.
• Watch out for other road users, including motorbikes, pushbikes, pedestrians and children, who may also be having difficulties in the conditions.

 (3) Check the weather conditions:

• Look at local and national TV and Radio for travel and weather information.
• See that all your vehicle windows, mirrors and lights are clear from mist, frost and snow.
• Snow and ice reduce what you can see and can be dangerous to other road users as it falls off you vehicle.

(1) Mobility and Journey Management:

• Assuming that you absolutely have to travel, and there is no alternative, make sure your journey is well planned.
• Check that your planned route is OK.
• Allow realistic travel times for the conditions.
• Ensure others are aware of your journey.