How to Drive Safely in Winter
Reading time 3 minutes
Categories Cleaning & Maintenance » Driving Tips »
How to Drive Safely in Winter
Reading time 3 minutes
Categories Cleaning & Maintenance » Driving Tips »
During the winter months, everything becomes a bit more difficult.
It’s harder to keep our homes warm, illness is more common and even our day-to-day driving becomes more challenging.
Colder, wetter and icier roads can make driving more difficult at this time of year, so The Windscreen Company has put together a handy guide to help you stay safe when behind the wheel this winter.
Whether it’s heavy rain, freezing temperatures creating icy road surfaces or even a sudden flurry of snow, the adverse weather conditions are usually the main reason that driving can become more treacherous during winter.
Some things you can do to make driving safer at this time of year include:
If you know that the weather is going to be bad, taking a bit of time to plan your journey can help make it easier.
Even if it’s a journey you do regularly, taking notice of traffic updates, weather warnings and local news reports can help you make any necessary changes to the trip and ensure you don’t get caught out.
It is also worth giving yourself more time than you usually need as you may need to drive more slowly to account for the conditions.
Visibility when driving is important all year round, but it is even more vital during winter.
Frost or snow may mean your windscreen and other windows need to be cleared before setting off. Make sure all glass is clear before embarking on a journey, a lack of visibility is dangerous and illegal.
For advice on how to properly de-ice your windscreen, check out our previous blog on the topic.
The sudden change in temperature can also make windscreen damage more likely.
Existing damage may also worsen when the weather gets colder, and it’s highly recommended that you get any damage fixed as soon as possible. In some cases, it may even be illegal to drive with windscreen damage, so always consult the services of a windscreen professional.
When driving on ice or snow, avoid harsh braking at all costs. Stopping distances can be reduced in these conditions and braking abruptly could cause your car to spin out of control.
Make sure your tyres have the desired tread depth when driving during winter.
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm, and anything less than this can be dangerous in normal conditions. During the winter, tyres with poor tread depth will have next to no grip which makes it extremely dangerous.
If conditions are really bad, you may even want to consider specialist winter tyres.
Check your car’s screenwash to ensure your windscreen wipers will work properly if you need them.
Quality screenwashes should prevent water from freezing. If your screenwash isn’t topped up, the wipers may not work at all when you need them.
At The Windscreen Company, we can help keep your windscreen and glass in the best condition all year round – including this winter. If your vehicle requires windscreen repairs or replacements, we’re here to assist with our specialist technicians capable of working on vehicles of every make and model. Operating across the West Midlands and South East, contact our team for more information.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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