Winter Essentials as Drivers Contend with Dangerous Conditions

Drivers are being urged to adopt a winter driving mentality to avoid accidents as Winter settles in across the UK.

The RAC, a national breakdown recovery service, reported their busiest day since January 13th recently, with reporting of breakdowns almost 50% higher than the usual time-of-year average.

“The ongoing cold snap and freezing temperatures mean our patrols are exceptionally busy, with breakdowns almost 50% higher than what we’d usually expect at this time of year,” said Alice Simpson, RAC breakdown spokesperson.

“Melting snow and surface water increase the likelihood of encountering black ice, which is very dangerous as it’s almost impossible to spot.

“In these sorts of conditions, it’s vital to take extra care.”

Recommendations for drivers include driving more slowly, leaving extra space to the vehicle in front due to potentially increased stopping distances, and if your vehicle starts to skid, steering gently into the direction of the skid to keep the vehicle straight.

If facing the possibility of being stuck on a long journey, due to the weather, a winter kit would be useful, including:

• Packing extra clothing to keep warm
• A fully charged smartphone and a mobile power bank
• De-icer for iced-over windows
• A good scraper should the temperatures plummet

Regardless of the weather, it’s always a good idea to check critical elements of the vehicle before setting off, such as tyre pressure and windscreen washer fluid.

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