{"id":8864,"date":"2017-12-05T09:00:16","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T09:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/?p=100"},"modified":"2021-01-14T13:47:55","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T13:47:55","slug":"driving-in-a-winter-wonderland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving in a winter wonderland: how to drive in snow and wintry conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We often hear the phrase &#8220;winter wonderland&#8221; when people talk about snow during the winter months.\u00a0 The reality is that people still need to drive at this time of year and for many of us the prospect of driving in a winter wonderland or driving in snowy conditions is less than wonderful. With the likelihood of some harsh weather conditions at this time of year, here are some tips on how to drive in snow to share with loved ones so that they are aware of the hazards when driving in snow or (more typically for most parts of the UK) ice,\u00a0 heavy rain and strong winds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Prepare your vehicle for winter<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We don&#8217;t always get much snow in the UK, so many people use summer tyres year round. If a snowy winter is anticipated or you live in a part of the UK that is more prone to snow it may be better to install all-season tyres or even winter tyres during the winter months.\u00a0 Winter tyres give extra traction in ice and snow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you install winter tyres make sure your spare tyre is also a winter tyre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chains add another level of safety and are vital if you will be driving in mountainous areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Top up your coolant levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Use windscreen cleaner rated for winter conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Check windscreen wiper blades are in good condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Check your battery and replace it if it is unreliable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Carry a bag of sand, to be used for weight and to give traction when required, and a snow shovel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\u2019s not always easy to change the vehicle you drive, but if you will be travelling in winter conditions frequently, choose a vehicle with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or 4-wheel drive.\u00a0 In icy conditions, rear-wheel drive vehicles are more difficult to handle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Install a <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travall.com\/en-us\">Travall<\/a><\/span> vehicle-specific guard so vehicle occupants have protection from loose objects in the boot should you need to stop the car quickly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep locks from freezing up by using WD-40.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Know the road conditions\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">First and foremost, if the conditions are not safe, do not go! If you absolutely must, then plan your route well in advance.\u00a0 Check for road and traffic updates before you leave and as the journey progresses pull over at intervals to check conditions ahead of you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Check the weather forecast before you leave<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Look at the weather forecast for your current location, your final destination and for points along the route.\u00a0 The <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metoffice.gov.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Met Office<\/a><\/span> gives regular updates for those travelling in the UK as forecasts are updated hourly. If you are aware of weather warnings, there will be fewer surprises on the way. Carry chains if snow is expected and if you\u2019ll be travelling in hills or mountains. Ensure that <em>everyone<\/em>\u00a0has the appropriate clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. Having coats, hats, gloves and sturdy boots in the car is essential if you will be travelling in cold temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Fuel up<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Start off with a full tank of fuel and where possible don&#8217;t allow your tank to drop below half way. You may have to stop to fill up more frequently, but you don\u2019t want to run out of fuel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Prepare for driving in wintry conditions<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Know how to drive in snow or icy conditions. \u00a0Drive more slowly than usual and slower than the posted speed limits. \u00a0Accelerate gently to avoid wheel spins and make gentle manoeuvres. Allow more distance between you and other vehicles. Pump brakes gently and use gears to slow down. If you drive a car with automatic transmission use second gear or winter mode. If possible, improve driving skills by using an empty car park to practice steering into a skid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In extremely wet conditions, slow down and keep a much greater distance between you and the vehicle in front, as hydroplaning can be a real issue.\u00a0 If you are dealing with high winds too, anticipate gusts and be aware of high-sided vehicles around you and cyclists who could unexpectedly be blown off course.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Carry an emergency survival kit\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">First aid kit<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Flares<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Blankets<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bin bags\u00a0that could double as a tarpaulin or rain poncho<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High energy food such as muesli bars, flapjacks, or dried fruit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insulated flasks of water and\/or hot drinks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A torch (either handheld or a headlamp version)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Matches\u00a0or a lighter<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Candles<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coats, wool socks, gloves, scarves and other winter clothing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Umbrella<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Where possible use main roads<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This may not always be an option, but try to stick to major routes, which tend to be cleared of snow more frequently than smaller local roads. You can get help more easily on main roads if you experience an emergency.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Additional driving tips<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Drive according to the conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Reduce speed in poor visibility, heavy rain, where there is snow, or if ice may have formed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Stay in a lower gear\u00a0to help keep control of the vehicle and avoid harsh braking and acceleration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Maintain larger stopping distances, you may have to double or even triple your stopping distance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Use dipped headlights in poor visibility and snow<\/span>,<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> so others can see you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Use rear fog lights if visibility is reduced.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>If you get stranded stay with your vehicle<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To keep warm try to keep the engine running, but ensure that the exhaust is not clogged with snow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Try to keep mobile devices charged so you can call\u00a0for assistance if necessary<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For a quick reference post on how to drive in snow, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/winter-continues-is-your-car-still-prepared-for-driving-in-snow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">click here<\/a>. Wherever you are driving this winter all of us at <strong><em>The Savvy Travaller\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>wish you happy travels and hope you enjoy the journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We often hear the phrase &#8220;winter wonderland&#8221; when people talk about snow during the winter months.\u00a0 The reality is that people still need to drive at this time of year and for many of us the prospect of driving in a winter wonderland or driving in snowy conditions is less than wonderful. With the likelihood &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.travall.com\/en-gb\/driving-in-a-winter-wonderland\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Driving in a winter wonderland: how to drive in snow and wintry conditions<\/span>Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8856,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[169],"tags":[275,276,277,1516,302,307],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Driving in a winter wonderland: how to drive in snow and wintry conditions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Winter driving can be challenging. 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