Are you prepared for winter driving conditions?
25th November 2012
With winter fast approaching, salt stocks are being replenished, new equipment has been purchased and the Met Office is teaming up with the highway authorities to provide the best possible service in anticipation of the forthcoming winter weather. 
The message from the Freight Transport Association is that drivers and fleet operators must also be prepared.
“Up to three years ago there was a whole generation of drivers who had never experienced severe winter conditions, but in 2010 and 2011 many learned that going out when winter can hit suddenly is not advisable without taking sensible precautions,” the FTA’s Malcolm Bingham said. “Insufficient preparation can lead to lives being put at risk, people stranded for uncomfortable lengths of time, and emergency services becoming stretched.”
It is essential to have vehicles properly prepared. The decision about what an individual transport operator should do is related to the sort of operations being undertaken. In certain conditions snow chains are appropriate and some operators who travel in areas where the weather can be very cold look to change to winter tyres as a matter of course.
GEM Motoring Assist has published a checklist to help prevent drivers from being a victim of an accident or a breakdown as temperatures start to drop and conditions worsen across the country.
- Check that your vehicle is properly maintained and fully serviced.
- Ensure tyres have plenty of tread depth, are in good condition, and correctly inflated.
- Radiators must contain anti-freeze, and also check that the cooling system is free from leaks.
- Batteries must be in good condition (many garages will carry out this check free of charge).
- Ensure windscreen wipers and washers are working effectively.
- Washer bottles must be full and contain anti-freezing/cleaning additive.
- Clean all lights and check they all work properly.
- All windows and mirrors must be clean and clear from snow and ice before driving.
- Keep fluorescent/high visibility jackets in the vehicle, in case of a breakdown.
- Store extra clothes or blankets, for the same reason.
Malcolm Bingham added: “This year highway authorities are asking for drivers to be made aware when gritters are operating. Drivers in the vicinity of a spreader should back off and let it get on with its work – it will only be there for a relatively short time. To accurately spread they must travel at about 40mph and this sometimes means we need to slow down to let them get on with keeping the network open.”
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