Things to Watch Out for on the Road This Christmas

Over the winter months, there are plenty of hazards on the roads to consider. Not only can they be dangerous for you and other road users, they may also cause issues with your vehicle. Here’s a few that we’ve encountered recently:

Pot Holes

Pot holes can be a real problem for drivers and other road users – they can cause damage to vehicles and are also a potential safety hazard. Hitting a pothole in your car can cause damage to your wheels and tyres. Wheels can buckle; develop cracks or lumps, and even becoming knocked out of tracking. Alloys can also become cracked as a result. In the most serious cases, a pot hole could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.

Cyclists are also affected by pot holes, often having to swerve at the last minute, or even hitting them, which can cause them to fall off and sustain an injury. Cyclists swerving to avoid pot holes can also be hazardous to drivers, who may find themselves having to brake or change direction at the last minute.

Flooding

When roads are covered in excess water, drivers may find themselves aquaplaning – losing traction with the road surface, which can result in skidding or losing control of their vehicle. For more information on what aquaplaning is, how to avoid it, and what to do if it happens, click here to read our advice post.

Drainage Systems

There are a range of drainage systems in the UK which can affect you on the road, especially in wet or icy conditions. Manhole covers can become slippery, or can become lose, causing pedestrians to slip and drivers and cyclists to skid, or even pop their tyres. Pavement drainage systems can also catch driver’s tyres, causing them to pop or puncture.

Wet Leaves

When wet leaves accumulate on the roads, they can become very slippery – this can be made even worse if they freeze, which makes road conditions similar to driving on black ice, causing you to skid, slip or even lose control of your vehicle.

If you see a potential hazard on the road this Christmas time, you can report it to your local council – visit www.gov.uk for more information.

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