Motorists have been urged to take seven safety measures as they prepare for road travel in the coming days.
This follows a series of weather warnings issued by the Met Office for snow and ice, which began on Sunday (November 17) and are expected to last until Wednesday (November 20) in some parts of the country.
In parts of central northern Scotland, one weather warning is in place for a staggering 43 hours, coming into force at 4pm today and lasting until 10am on Wednesday morning.
The forecaster also warned snow could cause disruption from 7pm tonight until 10am tomorrow morning, affecting large parts of northern England and the Midlands. It said: “A spell of snow may bring disruption during Monday night and Tuesday morning. Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers. Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.”
As potential travel chaos looms, TikToker PassMeFast has shared some precautions motorists may want to consider before and during their journeys this week.
Take your time and plan ahead
Planning your route can help you avoid congested areas, as well as particularly slippery or difficult-to-navigate areas on roads. It helps if you are familiar with the areas where you are travelling and can make adjustments to your journey accordingly.
Make room for longer stopping distances
Braking distances can increase by 10 times on icy roads compared with dry ones, and tyres do not grip as efficiently in cold conditions.
Drivers should leave up to 10 times the normal gap between their vehicle and the car ahead to minimise the chances of a crash.
Brake on bends
Drivers should accelerate and brake more gently in the cold, as cars are more difficult to control on wet or icy roads. Brake before you reach a bend, not on it, to make sure you maintain control.
Steer into skids
If you do skid on the road, you should steer in the direction of the skid. If your vehicle’s rear wheels are sliding to the left, you should steer left, and the reverse applies if your rear wheels are sliding to the right.
Take your foot off the accelerator, but avoid braking as it can make a skid more dangerous. As you steer, your rear wheels may begin sliding in the opposite direction.
If this happens, gently ease the steering wheel toward that side and straighten the wheel again once your car has levelled out.
Turn on your dipped headlights
The Highway Code says drivers should use dipped headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, meaning you can see less than 100m in front of you.
This not only applies to driving in the dark, but also in inclement weather conditions.
Approach hills carefully
When tackling icy or wet inclines, it’s advised to accelerate before hitting the hill to build up momentum. This helps in reaching the top without losing traction.
It’s crucial to maintain a steady speed and avoid gear changes halfway up to prevent tyre grip loss. On the other hand, when descending, lower your speed before starting downhill.
Use a low gear to avoid skidding and apply brakes gently only if necessary.
