ROAD SAFETY AND breakdown organisation GEM Motoring
Assist is urging motorists to take extra care as winter
weather is predicted in the next few days.
Road journeys are more difficult and treacherous when
there is a fall of snow. GEM is encouraging drivers to
make good use of some simple safety tips in order to
reduce the chance of risk, delay and difficulty – and to
avoid putting additional strain on the emergency
services and breakdown providers who are likely to be at
full stretch in winter weather.
-
Don’t drive if you
don’t really need to. The easiest way to avoid
trouble from winter conditions is not to venture out
in the car.
-
If you do have to make a road journey, then please
ensure your car is properly equipped for the likely
conditions. That’s because if you do experience a
breakdown, you will most likely have to wait longer
until help arrives.
-
If bad weather threatens, or has already arrived,
then postpone your journey and eliminate the risk of
becoming stuck somewhere.
-
Listen for weather updates, and plan your travel
accordingly.
-
Prepare a set of essential items, including 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.
-
Keep your speeds down, leave plenty of space between
yourself and the vehicle in front, give room to
snowploughs and gritter trucks, and be ready for
sudden, rapid deteriorations in conditions.
-
Remember that driving in winter conditions can be
hard work, so ensure you build in breaks on your
journeys.
-
Take a look at the GEM e-Book on winter driving.
It’s available for download free of charge from http://www.motoringassist.com/winter-driving/
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth says: “Have a plan
ready now that can help you postpone that journey you’re
expecting to make. Agree to reschedule a meeting or a
visit if it’s not vital. In that way, you’re avoiding a
lot of potential trouble for yourself, and ensuring you
won’t be putting additional strain on emergency and
recovery crews, who are sure to be at full stretch in
the coming days.
“If you’re out and about when snow hits, then the simple
preparation measures suggested above really can make a
big difference to help keep you safe.”
|