Tips and laws for driving in the snow if you really have to
A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued in parts of north-east England, with forecasters predicting potential blizzard conditions.
Up to 25cm of snow is expected in higher elevations, particularly on the North York Moors, where the warning continues until 9pm.
The Met Office has warned that sleet and snow showers hitting UK coastlines until Thursday could cause significant travel disruption and power outages.
Driving in cold conditions and snow comes with many dangers, and there are many things you should avoid if you have to get behind the wheel on snowy, wintery roads.
One of the best ways to keep yourself out of harm’s way in tough driving conditions is to stay home. Of course, this isn’t an option if you really need to be somewhere, but if you’re unsure of your abilities or feeling stressed about the prospect of driving in snowy weather, it’s always better to put the keys away and stay put.
If you must travel, consider whether it is necessary and worth the potential risk.
Do not attempt to drive with a half-open windshield
If you’re in a rush to get going, it may be tempting to clear part of your frosted windshield and use it to see out. However, this is extremely dangerous; You should wait for your windshield to defrost completely before hitting the road. Before you hit the road, make sure your side windows, rear window and side mirrors are clean.
Additionally, if you do not clean your windshield properly, you could be fined for dangerous driving; In the most serious cases you could risk a fine of up to £2,500.
Don’t go profit on the roof of your car while driving
If a lot of snow fell in your area, it’s likely that a lot of it accumulated on the roof of your car. You might think this will blow away in a rush as you drive away, but sub-zero temperatures can often cause snow to compact and freeze solid on the roof of the car, creating a potential hazard.
A large layer of frozen snow can easily break the windshield of a car coming behind you. Although there is no specific law covering the issue, if snow on your roof is found to have caused an accident, you could be fined for offenses such as ‘driving without due care’.
Don’t try to use your wipers to de-ice your car windshield
When you get into your car on a cold morning, it may seem like a good idea to turn on the windshield wipers as a way to clear away the ice. However, in sub-zero temperatures the wipers can quickly freeze solid, so turning them on will cause the motors to burn out and can cause some expensive damage.
Instead, gently lift the wiper arms away from the screen to clear them of ice, or spray a small amount of de-icer on them to make sure they don’t freeze.
Avoid using boiling water to defrost your screen
Again, if you’re in a hurry, pouring boiling water from the kettle onto your car’s icy windshield might seem like a good idea. But the truth is just the opposite; because doing so may cause your screen to crack when going from one extreme temperature to another. If you have stone chips on your windshield, doing this could cause the stones to get worse.
Also, if it is still below 0C outside, this boiling water can easily freeze and cause your car’s wipers to jam. Instead, use a special defroster and scraper to clean your car’s screen.
Don’t leave your car unattended while running
When it’s cold outside, the last thing you want to do is stand around in freezing weather waiting for your car to defrost. But while leaving your car running to defrost while you wait inside is a tempting option, it’s something that should be avoided. A car running outside the house is an open invitation for thieves, so it’s better to stay near your vehicle at all times.
Also, leaving the engine idling outside is not good for the environment, so defrost your car by hand.
on the road
When you’re ready to go, the RAC recommends that you start by accelerating slowly, using low revs and shifting into a higher gear as quickly as possible. Taking off in seconds will help reduce wheel slip.
Make sure your speed is consistent with that of other drivers and maintain safe stopping distances between your vehicle and the vehicle in front, up to 10 times the normally recommended distance.
Leave plenty of room in front before attempting to go uphill so you can maintain a steady speed without needing to change gear.
When going downhill, use a low gear and avoid unnecessary braking, which can cause skidding. Again, make sure you leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
When you approach a bend in the road, brake gently before you start turning the steering wheel. If your car loses grip, don’t panic. Take your foot off the gas pedal and make sure your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go.
If you skid, turn the steering wheel slowly; If the rear of the car slides to the right, turn it to the right. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel or apply the brakes.
Be sure to use low beams when driving in heavy snow. If visibility drops below 100 meters, turn on your fog lights.
If there is no sand on the road, be careful when driving in ruts or other vehicles; because compacted snow can be more slippery than fresh snow.
