Drivers urged to put 10 things in car by 6pm tonight | UK | News
Drivers are being asked to pack 10 items in their cars as freezing Arctic cold sets in further Met Office weather alerts. A new amber warning was issued by the forecaster on Sunday, January 4.
Rare warning for snow It covers Aberdeen, Aviemore in the Cairngorms and Ullapool in Ross-shire. It will start at 18.00 tonight and end at 10.00 am on Monday. “Heavy snow” and travel disruptions are predicted. Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place for Wales, Manchester and south-west England, while much of the east coast of England is covered by a yellow warning for ice.
The yellow warning for snow and ice covers most of Scotland north of Glasgow. This period ends at midnight on Monday.
RAC experts have shared their advice on what to pack in your car in case you get stranded in cold winter weather.
A “must have” is an ice scraper and defroster because you are required by law to keep your windshield and rear windows clear of snow and ice before hitting the road.
Experts also say a large flashlight with backup batteries or a wind-up flashlight that doesn’t require battery power is a “must.”
An in-car phone charger is also recommended to top up your phone’s battery. Experts advise drivers who find themselves out of range to find the nearest emergency phone on the highway or decide for themselves whether it makes sense to walk to the nearest house on quieter routes or sit and wait for a passing driver to stop.
Warm clothes and blankets to cover yourself in if you become unwell are “sensibly” recommended by the RAC, which suggests packing a large coat, gloves, spare jumper, hat and gloves.
The motoring organisation, which shared its kit essentials with the Met Office, said high-visibility clothing was “very important” if you need to get out of your car at night.
Jumper cables or jump start cables should also be included in case the battery dies or dies. These are more likely to occur in cold weather, according to the RAC.
An empty fuel canister, food and drinks should also be packed, as well as a shovel in case of snow and warning triangles to inform other road users in the event of a malfunction.
Signs must be placed at the front and rear of the vehicle, at least 45 meters away from the vehicle.
Finally, it may seem a bit odd, but you should also pack sunglasses as the winter sun can affect your vision while driving, according to the RAC.
