03/01/2026
Parts of the province are waking up to snow this morning. it is vital that you are adequately prepared before venturing out on the road. See our handy guide below
Winter Driving can be much more challenging than at other times of the year. Inclement weather and longer periods of darkness make driving more hazardous. Sometimes conditions can be extreme, as we have found out over recent winters, with prolonged periods of heavy snow and floods. If conditions are particularly bad, avoid driving completely, unless it is necessary, and you are adequately prepared.
Different weather conditions may create different hazards throughout the winter and in different areas of the country at different times. A single journey may take us into very different weather, road and traffic conditions, so we need to be prepared for each one. This means that we need to adapt the way we drive to the conditions.
VEHICLE PREPARATION
Just prior to wintertime would be an ideal time to have a full service of your vehicle carried out and ensure that the anti-freeze is checked If this is not possible, there are checks that you can carry out yourself. In particular, Check:
• Lights are clean and working
• Battery is fully charged
• Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean and the washer bottle filled with screen wash
• Tyre condition, tread depth and pressure (including the spare)
• Brakes are working well
• Fluids are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash (to the correct concentration to prevent it freezing), anti-freeze and oil
When extreme weather is possible, pack an emergency kit in your car, especially if you are planning a long journey which should include,
• Tow rope
• A shovel
• Wellington boots
• A hazard warning triangle
• De-icing equipment
• First aid kit (check expiry date of contents)
• A working torch
• A blanket
• Warm clothes
• Emergency supplies (including hot drink in a flask – non-alcoholic)
• Fully charged mobile Phone
Before you set off and during the journey, tune in and listen to local weather broadcasts and travel bulletins – especially for the areas you will be driving through. If conditions are very bad, and the emergency services are recommending that people don’t travel, then avoid making your journey unless it is absolutely necessary.
If you feel that your journey is absolutely necessary,
• Let someone know where you are going and what time you hope to arrive, so that they can raise the alarm if you get into difficulties.
• Plan alternative routes in case your main choice becomes impassable.
• Keep your fuel tank near to full to ensure that you do not run out.
• Make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone, so you can call for help or alert someone if you’re delayed.
• If you don’t have an emergency kit in your vehicle, at least take extra warm clothes, boots and a torch. Consider keeping a couple of long-life energy bars in the glove box.
• Clear your windows and mirrors completely of snow and ice before you set off (make sure the heater is blowing warm air before setting off – it will keep your windscreen clear.)
DRIVING IN SNOW OR ICE
• Slow down in plenty of time before bends and corners.
• Braking on an icy or snow-covered bend is extremely dangerous. The centrifugal force will continue to pull you outwards and the wheels will not grip very well. This could cause your vehicle to spin.
• To slow down on ice and snow, lift off the accelerator pedal early to allow the speed to drop sufficiently to select a lower gear. If you need to use the brakes, use very gentle pressure.
• Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. Braking distances in snow and ice can be up to 10 times greater than on dry roads.
• Keep your vehicle well-ventilated.
• In snow, stop frequently to clean the windows, wheel arches, lights and number plates.
• Visibility will probably be reduced, so use dipped headlights.
• If you get stuck in snow, revving your engine to try to power out of the rut will just make the rut worse. Instead, move your vehicle slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can.
• If this doesn’t work, you may have to ask your passenger or a passer-by for a push or get your shovel out.
RAIN
Rain reduces your ability to see and greatly increases the distance required to slow down and stop. Remember that you will need about TWICE your normal braking distance. Use windscreen wipers, washers and dipped headlights; drive smoothly and plan your manoeuvres in plenty of time.
Aquaplaning is caused by driving too fast into surface water. When the tyre tread cannot channel away enough water, the tyre(s) lose contact with the road and your car will float on a wedge of water. Aquaplaning can be avoided by reducing speed in wet conditions. Having the correct tyre pressure and tyre tread depth will maximise your tyres’ ability to maintain their road grip. If it happens, ease off the accelerator and brakes until your speed drops sufficiently for the car tyres to make contact with the road again.
FLOODS
If you come across a flooded road,
• Avoid the deepest water – which is usually near the kerb.
• Don’t attempt to drive through it if the water seems too deep.
• If you are not sure of the water’s depth, look for an alternative route.
• If you decide to risk it, drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling.
• Be aware of the bow wave from approaching vehicles – operate an informal ‘give way’ with approaching vehicles. Remember to test your brakes when you are through the flood.
FOG
Avoid driving in fog unless your journey is absolutely necessary. Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions. An accident involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are driving too close to one another. If you must drive:
• Follow weather forecasts and general advice to drivers in the local media.
• Allow plenty of extra time for your journey.
• Check your car before you set off. Make sure everything is in good working order, especially the lights.
• Reduce your speed and keep it down
• Switch on headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced.
• Use the demister and windscreen wipers.
• Do not ‘hang on’ to the rear lights of the car in front as you will be too close to be able to brake safely.
• Switch off distracting noises and open the window slightly so that you can listen for other traffic, especially at crossroads and junctions.
• Beware of speeding up immediately when visibility improves slightly. In patchy fog you could find yourself ‘driving blind’ again only moments later.
• If you break down, inform the police and get the vehicle off the road as soon as possible. Never park on the road in fog and never leave it without warning lights of some kind
LOW SUNSHINE
Even with winter weather conditions the sun can cause problems, the angle of the sun in the sky will frequently be too low for your visor to help. If blinded by glare:
• Reduce your speed
• Reduce the effect of glare by keeping both the inside and outside of your windscreen clean and grease free.
IF YOU DO GET STRANDED
Stay with your vehicle and use your mobile phone to call the emergency services.
REMEMBER
TO FAIL TO PREPARE IS TO PREPARE TO FAIL.
