Safe Speed Forums

Driving: How to stay safe in the ice and snow this winter
Jan 6 2010 By Graeme Lennox

SCOTLAND returned to work yesterday amid scenes straight out of a disaster movie.

Heavy snowfalls and icy conditions plunged the country into chaos, making even the simplest commute a perilous journey.

On Monday, the AA recorded their busiest day in their 105-year history, with more than 25,000 call-outs.

And by lunchtime yesterday, they had come to the rescue of another 9000 stranded motorists.

But every driver can do their bit to avoid breakdowns and accidents by getting ready for the worst, carrying emergency rations and driving more carefully.

Aa spokesman Gavin Hill-Smith praised hardy Scots for their resilience but warned that people were still not taking sufficient precautions.

He said: "Scotland has taken a battering but Scots motorists seem to fare better than those down south.

"They have more experience of driving in adverse conditions and could teach the rest of us a thing or two. If we had the same weather down south, we would have seen major problems by now."

The most common cause of accidents is people not leaving enough distance between them and the car in front - but there are other significant problems.

People who fail to clear snow from their roofs, doors and mirrors face more than just visibility problems.

Gavin warned: "Last year, we had two multiple pile-ups caused by large blocks of snow or ice falling off a car and temporarily blinding the driver behind."

Even experienced drivers get caught out in the adverse conditions.

Black ice is a hidden killer, causing hundreds of accidents every year.

Driving safely in ice or snow is about reading the road ahead and anticipating danger.

Smoother driving will help anchor your wheels to the slippy surface.

Experts recommend setting off in second gear and keeping the revs low so the wheels don't spin.

Gavin added: "Make sure your tyres are properly inflated. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm but we normally recommend 3mm of tread in winter to help disperse all the muck your wheels pick up."

One great trick is carrying a piece of carpet or rug in your boot in case you get stuck.

Gavin said: "Place it under your front wheels and you will be able to use the extra traction to get yourself out. But don't forget to keep going until you are completely clear of the trouble."

Flat batteries are the biggest cause of AA call-outs.

Gavin said: "People get in their cars and switch on the heater, the radio, the sat-nav and light, which places a massive strain on the battery.

"People doing short journeys don't give the battery time to recover. A lot of families use just one car over Christmas and leave the other on the drive for up to two weeks.

"If you do have to venture out, give yourself extra time in the morning. Start the engine and get it up to normal operating temperature before setting off - but always stay with the vehicle.

"And pack your car with plenty of warm clothing because even daytime temperatures are enough to scare off a polar bear."

Police have advised drivers to take extra care on the roads, following reports of reckless driving, and to be prepared.

Chief Inspector Jim McLaughlin, of Strathclyde Road Policing Unit, added: "Preparation is vital in adverse weather conditions and we would advise motorists to drive slowly and take extra care.

"Before setting off, check your vehicle is well-maintained and safe to drive in icy conditions.

"If you do have to go out, allow more time, perhaps take a shovel and additional warm clothing, a warm drink and some food."

FREEZY DOES IT

Reduce your risk of skidding by reducing your speed. Too much power is often the source of problems in snow and ice.

Wear comfortable, dry shoes. Cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.

Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.

TAKE A BRAKE

When driving downhill, choose third or fourth gear to prevent skidding. Always apply brakes gently.

If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the wheels to give some grip.

Once on the move, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

IN THE CLEAR

Get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to prepare the car.

Completely clear all windows of snow and ice using de-icer and a scraper. Do not set off with just a tiny hole cleared in the windscreen.

HOT HINTS

Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock as the moisture will condense and freeze.

Check the roof for snow before you drive. It can slip over the windscreen and obscure your view.

Besides an ice scraper and de-icer, it's worth carrying a fully-charged mobile phone, torch, first aid kit, blankets, tow rope, warm coat and boots, jump leads, shovel, warning triangle, an old sack or rug and water repellent spray.

TIME OUT

Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.

Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in and accept you may have to be late.

NO SKIDDING

If your vehicle skids, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road.

Don't brake - it will just lock up your wheels and you'll skid further.

If your tyres are making virtually no noise it could be a sign you're driving on ice.

Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.

Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.

I've seen some advice to do with FWD cars - like using reverse to get out of trouble -can see problems there as reverse is usually a bit lower than any forward gears .But ,here comes an old ,almost ancient dodge - using reverse with FWD cars - a sort of modification of an old RWD dodge.

-and forget ABS -cadence breaking is your best friend

But how do you make your right foot control each wheel individually?

forget ABS -cadence breaking is your best friend

Here I feel I must disagree! By cadence braking, you have no choice but to apply and release all 4 wheels at the same time - even those that might have been able to contribute something useful towards slowing the car. With ABS, keeping your foot on the brake will allow any wheel that has a bit of grip to continue braking and will only release wheel(s) that is/are locking up. Early ABS systems certainly had there shortcomings but almost all modern ones are (in my experience at least!) very good indeed.

Sorry -Mole -we must agree to disagree - any other conditions -I'd agree -but snow/ice - my right foot is better than any electronic system - coupled with skid prevention/correction .

But how do you make your right foot control each wheel individually?

Experience ,and practice -something you don't get with electronics.You don't need to control each wheel individually in snow/ice - that's where the system falls down - just the overall control of the vehicle - one time man is superior to electronics.

May I make another plea for PREPARATION & DECISION AGAINST any journey, if the conditions are clearly snowy and icy, please.

..........'motorists should be honest with themselves about the conditions they faced and during snow and ice to only consider driving if it was a "lifesaving mission"........

Both The Highway Code and the Driving Standards Agency err upon the side of not driving, don't they?

........'motorists should be honest with themselves about the conditions they faced and during snow and ice to only consider driving if it was a "lifesaving mission"........

Both The Highway Code and the Driving Standards Agency err upon the side of not driving, don't they?

Where does this stop?