Mini Motoring > Driving in Bad Weather

As a child, we used to look forward to the days when it snowed, but as soon as we get a full driving licence, and therefore have a responsibility forour road safety, we dread the days when the roads are painted white with snow and ice. We come to dread driving in bad weather, as it increases the danger of a smash each time you get behind the wheel, but this is due to most road users being unaware of how to drive in bad weather. However, the following tips could help you get through the winter months driving on the roads.

Preparing for a Long Journey

Check the anti freeze in the radiator, and replace if necessary.
Check for ice before driving – most modern cars have ice warning lights and temperature gauges. Anything below three degrees centigrade means ice is likely.
Ensure all of your lights are clean and working.
Check the status of your car battery; most car batteries now have an indicator of their current level.
Clear your windscreen fully before you set off.

Clearing your Windscreen & Windows

It is vital that you clear your front and back windscreens before you set off, as driving with restricted vision carries a penalty of up to £1000 due to the safety implications of both yourself and other road users if you can only see out of a small clear hole in your windscreen. Follow the advice below to ensure your windows are clear:

Brush any snow off the windscreen, windows and mirrors.
Lift the windscreen wipers away from the window to check they are not stuck.
Use an ice scraper to remove thick ice, and spray de-icer onto the windscreen, starting at the top of the window.
Use air conditioning if your car has it to demist your windows faster, and to reduce condensation on cold windows.
Clean the inside of your windscreen – any smear marks from using a sat nav⁄using your hand to clear the window will be highlighted by the sun and make it difficult to see.
Clear any snow from the roof of your car to ensure it does not fall into your windscreen & block your view of the road.
Ensure your windscreen washer fluid is full and mixed with an anti–freezing agent.
Do not use hot water to clear your windows quickly; this can crack the glass on your windscreen. Similarly, cold water can freeze and create another layer of ice on your windows.

On the Road

The best advice we can give is don’t travel at all unless it is absolutely necessary, but obviously there may be times when this is unavoidable, so have a read of the advice below to help you on your way.

Remember – braking distances are as much as 10 times longer in ice & snow.
To avoid wheel spin, move off in second gear, slowly taking your foot off the clutch to prevent the car jumping forward⁄skidding.
Don’t use cruise control – you need to be in full control of your vehicle.
If you notice your tyres have suddenly become quiet, take care and slow down, as this could be a sign that you are driving on ice.
Watch out for snow ploughs & salt spreaders on the roads, they travel at less than 40mph, and grit⁄salt may damage your car when overtaking so leave plenty of room when overtaking.
If you get stuck, use a high gear & light steering to manoeuvre out of the snow.
Avoid over–revving the engine when in snow; this could cause the wheels to get stuck.
Check that your tyres are in good condition, and above the legal minimum tread depth – at least 3mm is recommended for winter driving, and no less than 2mm.
Ensure your tyre pressure is checked regularly – under inflated tyres can overheat, whilst overheated tyres can lead to poor handling⁄steering on the road.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Breaking down in the snow is one of the last things we want to happen to us on the roads, but if that does happen, being prepared for the worst could prove useful, so carrying an emergency kit in the boot of your car containing the following is advisable:

De–icer and an ice scraper.
Thick, warm clothes, gloves and a blanket.
A torch and spare batteries.
Jump leads.
A shovel to dig your car out of snow.
Warm drinks in a flask, and food such as chocolate⁄energy bars, cans or cans of fruit and a can opener.
A reflective warning sign or triangle to place behind your vehicle.
Walking boots.
First aid kit.

Another thing to consider is ensuring your mobile phone is fully charged before a long journey, should you need to call for breakdown assistance. It is a good idea to take out car breakdown cover with a provider who can either fix your car at the side of the road, or take you home and take your car to a local garage. Breakdown assistance can be included in your car insurance policy, so if you’re looking to get the best deal on your insurance, use sites such as Go compare, comparethemarket or moneysupermarket and add breakdown cover as an optional extra.

What to do if You Break Down

If you do break down, the first thing to remember is don’t panic. Get to the side of the road⁄hard shoulder out of the way of other traffic to keep yourself safe.

If you are on a motorway, get out of your vehicle using the passenger doors, and find the nearest roadside marker to your car – you’ll need this when you phone for assistance so they can locate you quickly.

Look for the nearest emergency phone – the roadside markers will point you in the right direction of the nearest phone, which will connect you to the highways agency who will ask for details of the car, your details, and the nature of the problem. They will ask if you have breakdown cover or if you need a local police recovery service.

Upon return to your car, do not enter it unless it is too dangerous to stay outside the vehicle. Ensure your hazard lights are left on until assistance arrives at the scene.

If you are on a rural road, or far from any traffic⁄local houses, stay in your car and call your breakdown provider from the car. Do not attempt to get out and walk unless you know help is within 100 yards. Turn your car engine on occasionally to maintain heat, but ensure the exhaust pipe is clear of any snow, and keep a window open to prevent a build up of carbon monoxide inside the car.