Driving in the winter - stay safe in the snow

We’ve got to say – we’ve never heard of ‘thundersnow’ before. But apparently it’s on its way and could very well blight parts of the UK from today onwards.

‘Thundersnow’ is also known as a winter thunderstorm or thunder snowstorm. Instead of rain falling like a typical thunderstorm, the primary precipitation is snow. According to the Met Office, Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of the North West will be affected today, with Wales and Eastern England likely to see blizzard-type conditions by Thursday or Friday.

It is unlikely that the snow will build up as it is expected to take the form of showers. However, it serves as a reminder that although there may not have been a white Christmas, we still have plenty of cold weather to get through.

So the question has to be asked – are you confident that you know how to safely drive in the snow?

Snowy conditions can make driving even short distances challenging, no matter how experienced or confident you may be. Poor decisions and perilous conditions can lead to accidents, so it is essential that you are adequately prepared before embarking on a journey in the snow.

Here are M&BM Motors’ top tips for staying safe when driving in the snow:

Do you really need to drive?

This is the first question you should ask yourself – is it absolutely necessary to venture out in the snow? Could you work from home? Walk rather than drive? The best way to avoid an accident is to avoid driving in the first place.

However, if you have no alternative but to drive in snowy conditions, it is important that you:

• Plan your journey – know exactly where you’re going, get updates on your route and consider parts of the journey that may be badly affected by adverse conditions, such as country lanes or steep hills and valleys.

• Add time to your journey – before you set off, you will need to clear any snow from your vehicle, and de-ice and de-mist your windscreen. You may also need to de-ice your lock if temperatures are very low.

• Don’t automatically turn on your wipers – if your wipers are frozen, your wiper control fuse could blow if you try to turn them on. If your car has auto wiper control, ensure that you have turned it off in cold weather.

• Top up your car’s screenwash – without the right screenwash, your wipers will be practically useless. Use a good quality screenwash that can prevent water from freezing even in temperatures as low as -35ºC.

• Check your tyres – you need to have an excellent grip when driving on the snow, so it is essential that your tyres have a deep tread. Ideally you would invest in winter tyres, which are specifically designed to deal with colder temperatures. Click here for more information about winter tyres.

• Pack your winter driving kit – you may have de-icer and a scraper in the car but this is just the beginning of what you may need if you get stuck in treacherous conditions. Click here for more information about what you should have in your boot just in case.

• Wear dry, comfortable footwear so your feet remain responsive when driving – it is vital that make sure you remain warm in your vehicle. You may want to take a coat, hat, gloves and scarf just in case you break down or get stuck in the snow. Sunglasses can also help to reduce glare.

• Drive safely – accelerate gently and move to a higher gear as quickly as you can. Drive slowly but steadily and remember that any controls – from steering to changing gears – should be done gently and smoothly. When turning a corner, brake before you turn as this will help your car grip to the road. If you do start to skid, try not to panic. Take your foot off the accelerator and just make sure that your car’s wheels are turned in the direction you want to go. Use a lower gear when going downhill and try not to brake unless absolutely necessary.

• Keep a safe distance from any other road users – as much as ten times the usual gap.

And finally, ask yourself again, is it absolutely necessary to venture out in the snow?