Good value new cars are well-equipped when it comes to safety aids, but nothing can replace the keen awareness and knowledge that a responsible driver can bring to road safety.
As the onset of February approaches, forecasters are warning of icy weather and as a result, road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has issued tips to drivers of new and old cars alike.
The man the group calls Britain’s top advanced driver Peter Rodger said many areas of the country have now experienced some treacherous driving conditions and the weather is only set to get worse in the coming days and weeks, so all drivers need to take steps to keep safe.
Motorists were told to try and keep their journeys to main roads as these are more likely to have been salted.
Obviously, not every driver lives on a main road, so if the side street on which they live is slippery, begin in second gear, releasing the clutch and accelerating gently. It is also important to avoid high revs. If your car is an automatic, Mr Rodger said use whatever gearbox features that the car handbook recommends when road conditions are icy.
Once underway, people need to be aware that stopping distances can be increased by up to ten times in icy conditions. This is why it is always important to leave plenty of distance between themselves and the vehicle in front. If a car begins to slide, drivers should take their foot from the accelerator pedal and point the front wheels in the desired direction of travel.
In terms of preparation, motorists can make life easier for themselves by always have de-icer and a scraper present. When removing ice or snow from a car, do a thorough job – don't just scrape a narrow slit in front of the driver's seat.
Mr Rodger concluded: "These are just a few pointers to start you thinking. Being mentally prepared as well as having the right equipment is vital, so think about any problems you encountered last winter, and what you need to do to avoid them or overcome them if they recur this year. Be prepared for the worst – icy conditions will affect accelerating, steering and braking."
Posted by Perry Murray