Drive safely in the winter weather
Breakdown-recovery provider and road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has issued some timely advice for drivers who are facing harsh weather this winter. “Ensuring you and your car are properly prepared for winter can make a big difference towards keeping you safe on the roads,” says GEM Motoring Assist’s roadsafety officer, Neil Worth. Tips include getting a winter check-up for your car, or at least being sure the battery is in good condition. GEM Motoring Assist also recommends packing essential items, such as a shovel, fully charged mobile phone, torch, ice scraper, food, water, jump leads, first-aid kit, warm clothes, and a supply of sand or gravel to assist with grip if your wheels are spinning. And, owing to the additional strain and fatigue of driving in difficult conditions, they also advise drivers to take more frequent breaks. If the weather is really bad and a journey is non-essential, Nigel Worth recommends that drivers consider staying at home or delaying their travel. “It makes sense to have a plan in place that means you can postpone your journey, or switch to public transport,” he says. “In that way, you’re avoiding a lot of potential trouble for yourself, and ensuring that you won’t put additional strain on emergency and recovery crews.”