| Michelin takes a look at how to prepare for the
demands of wintry weather |
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| "Drivers need eight times
the distance to stop on an icy road compared to a dry road" |
Safe winter driving is not just about the right tyres in good condition.
It is about thinking ahead, and driving smart. Modern cars are so
reliable it is tempting just to re-fuel and forget all about them.
Cold weather demands that your car needs extra attention. Time spent
now could save hassle later. A basic winter kit of an ice-scraper,
gloves, de-icer spray and a torch is a must. If you plan a longer
trip, listen to the weather forecast. If it is bad, first ask yourself,
is your trip really necessary? If you must travel, a road atlas, winter
coat, even a blanket, jump leads, tow rope and snow shovel, will give
peace of mind, and could – literally – prove a lifesaver
in atrocious conditions. And always remember your mobile phone.
Ensure your windscreen wiper blades are in good condition. They should
be renewed once a year. Check your windscreen washer bottle is full
with a solution that will not freeze in sub-zero conditions, and keep
a top-up in the boot. Engine oil thickens as temperatures fall. The
right winter grade oil will mean your engine will not have to work
as hard. Take care of the engine too, have the coolant checked to
ensure that the concentration of antifreeze is up to the job, and
fill up with fuel before the trip.
Running out of fuel on an iced-up road miles from the nearest service
station is bad news. Temperatures can drop dramatically overnight
so preparing your car for a morning journey is essential. Cover your
windscreen with newspaper, ensuring the wipers are on the paper not
the glass. The salt and grit used on roads to keep them clear of ice
and snow quickly damages paint and metalwork so regular winter washing
is a must. If you simply cannot avoid driving in freezing conditions,
how do you cope? The key is to take your time. Remember that your
minimum stopping distance alters enormously with the road conditions.
On a wet road, it takes twice as long to stop as on a dry road; on
snow, it takes twice as long to stop as in the wet; and on ice it
takes twice as long to stop as on snow. That means you need eight
times the distance to stop on an icy road compared to a dry road.
There are many hazards to negotiate when driving in grim, winter conditions.
Preparation and care are paramount. Do you wear flip-flops in the
snow? Or a fur coat on a sunny beach? Of course not. Yet millions
of motorists happily “wear” the same tyres on their car
whatever the weather. By ensuring your tyres are in the best condition
and by selecting the correct product, motorists can cut out much of
the risk.
Michelin has a complete range
of winter tyres for all situations. For more advice on winter tyres
go to www.michelin.co.uk
Michelin’s guide to safer winter
driving
- Allow plenty of time for the journey. Rushing is a recipe
for an accident
- Clear every window of frost, snow, ice and mist before
setting off
- Plan your journey in advance
- Ensure you have working emergency equipment and some
provisions in the car
- Tyre tread depth should be at least 1. 6mm across the
central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread, or deeper
for improved winter grip
- To avoid wheel spin when pulling away on snow and ice,
select a higher gear than you would do normally
- Keep your speeds down. Look ahead and anticipate what
is going to happen. To slow down, use gentle engine braking,
and brake very, very gently, smoothly and progressively
to avoid going into a skid
- If the car starts to slide, ease off the brakes. This
should give the car grip again. If you do skid in a corner,
stay off the brakes and steer into the skid to recover balance
and control.
- Going uphill, prevent wheel spin by choosing a gear higher
than you would normally use and going downhill drive in
a lower gear much more slowly than normal
- Slow down gently and in a straight line before you reach
bends or corners. Braking or accelerating through a bend
in slippery conditions will trigger a skid. Keep your speed
constant through the bend and steer smoothly without sudden
changes of direction
- In snow, try to stay in the tracks carved out by other
motorists
Michelin’s winter tyre range is available
to order only. For more information contact: 0845 366 1535.
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Road marking trial passes with flying colours
A Durham road before it received
the Colourbright treatment |
. . . and the spectacular
results after |
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| "Colourbright dramatically
increases the reflectivity of the road surface at night using
the light from vehicle headlights" |
It’s a startling reality that 50% of all reported road accidents
happen at night in wet conditions, yet according to the Met Office
it rains only 10% of the time at night. Prismo, as the leading road
safety surfacing manufacturer in the UK, has been working hard to
minimise the winter weather risks to drivers of line markings and
coloured surfacing – products traditionally almost invisible
in wet conditions.
It is a fact that if drivers’ vision is improved by clearly
defining road markings and potential hazards, then accidents and
the subsequent cost will be reduced. Colourbright has been developed
almost exclusively for dark, wet, winter driving and its success
in pilot sites throughout the UK – where there have been no
accidents – is proven. Will Dunnett, marketing director for
Prismo explains: “Colourbright is based on a simple, practical
concept: to dramatically increase the reflectivity of the road surface
at night using the light from vehicle headlights. Previously, coloured
surfaces have not been easily visible in the dark under headlights
so they lose their effectiveness when it is most needed. ”
Colourbright, already awarded a European Innovation award for its
contribution to road safety, changes all that by the use of Prismo’s
unique Clusterbead technology, where beads are incorporated into
the surface marking, reflecting light back to the driver with maximum
effect. “The test results on existing sites have been impressive,
even exceeding our own expectations,” continues Mr Dunnett.
“In October 2001, we laid a site in conjunction with Durham
County Council, on an unlit rural road, which is a fast, wide single
carriageway that encourages people to overtake. Since the trial
began, there have been no accidents. This is compared to 11 accidents
with two fatalities in the previous three years. ”As the nights
draw in, and with more sites being laid on accident black spots
around the country, Prismo is now looking forward to bringing the
practical life-saving and cost-saving benefits of Colourbright to
the attention of everyone in the road industry.
For more information visit: www.prismo.com
Keeping clear of accident conditions
With the colder, darker weather now upon us, RAC Auto Windscreens
is advising motorists to ensure they clear their windscreens, side
and rear windows completely before setting off on their journey.
It takes between 8–10 minutes to de-ice properly, but this
time investment could save your life and those of others by ensuring
clear vision. The largest penalty imposed for causing a serious
smash is a 10-year prison sentence if your dirty glass leads to
death by dangerous driving. But if you’re lucky enough to
avoid an accident, you could still end up falling foul of the law.
|
"If you are lucky enough
to avoid an accident, you could still end
up falling foul of the law" |
Failure to clear windows properly could lead to a fixed penalty
notice. Additionally, damaged windscreens can also present a danger
during the darker evenings. Light refraction on a stone chip or
crack in the windscreen, which happens when other headlights shine
on it, can cause a serious hazard as well as being illegal. Chips
often create tiny holes in the glass where water can enter. If that
water should freeze on a frosty morning, the water will expand,
which will either make the chip worse or crack the windscreen, putting
it beyond repair. RAC Auto Windscreens managing director, Bill Duffy,
says: “We should all be more cautious in winter, as the increased
risk from accidents is a reality. “Unfortunately, motorists
tend to be complacent about ensuring good visibility, which means
that the windscreen is often an after-thought, or is totally forgotten
when it comes to car maintenance.
Make it a priority to get any chips repaired. Ensuring you, your
windscreen and car are in good health this autumn could save your
life and avoid you endangering the life of other road users. ”
To avoid an accident or falling foul of the law during the darker
months, RAC Auto Windscreens recommends road users follow these
key points for safer driving:
- Improve your own visibility: Make
sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are de-misted or de-iced
thoroughly before setting off on your journey. Get any windscreen
cracks or chips repaired. Make sure your windscreen washer bottle
is in good working order (an empty washer bottle is an offence).
In winter, windscreens are “whitened” very quickly
by salt being thrown up on to them. Get your eyes tested every
two years as night vision is less than that in daylight conditions.
- Stay alert: To avoid any confusion
about how many units are legal, never drink and drive. Plan your
journey to include a 15-minute break every two hours. Caffeine
may help in extreme cases of tiredness – drink two cups
of coffee or a high-caffeine drink, and then take a short nap
to allow the caffeine to kick in before taking to the road again.
- Watch for other road users: Despite
constant warnings from the authorities, many cyclists and pedestrians
refuse to wear appropriate clothing. Expect sudden movements by
cyclists, especially in windy weather and on bad road surfaces.
Pay particular attention to cyclists that may be travelling on
the inside left of your vehicle.
- Be aware of wet roads: The safest
way to handle wet roads is to simply slow down, that way you will
reduce the risk of skidding should you need to stop suddenly.
It is also worth being mindful of the sun. On bright, crisp, autumnal
mornings the sun can reflect on surface water, blinding motorists.
For more information visit: www.rac.co.uk
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