By ensuring you are aware of adverse weather conditions you are taking the first steps in the assessment of
driving hazards for your journey and you are more likely to adjust your driving technique to reduce the risk of
an accident. The old phrase of forewarned is forearmed is never truer than when applied to being prepared for
driving.
Winter Sun
The low sun in winter is a big problem for many drivers. Unlike in summer when the sun is higher, winter sun can
shine directly into a driver’s eyes. The problem is even worse when the road surface is wet or frozen; the sun
shines directly into the drivers eyes and reflects up from the road surface. The only way to reduce the risk of an
accident is to significantly reduce speed and make use of sunglasses.
Drive to the Conditions – Not the Limit
At 50 Km/h, in perfect conditions it will take a vehicle at least 23 meters (75 feet) to stop in an emergency. When
the road surface is wet a stopping distance of 46 meters will be required and under icy conditions this rises to
230 meters.
In residential areas, no matter what the weather conditions, your speed is crucial. When there are plenty of road
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hazards: pedestrians, bicycles, parked cars, junctions – do you really need to be driving exactly on the limit. Don’t
forget speed limits tell you the maximum speed at which you can travel on the road; they are not a speed target
to reach! This particularly applies to driving in adverse weather conditions.
Twenty is Plenty
At 30 Km/h a vehicle stopping distance will be at least 12 meters (dry), 24 meters (wet) or 120 meters
when the roads are icy, these stopping distances are much less than when a vehicle is travelling at 50 Km/h. More
importantly, if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle at 30Km/h they have a 90% chance of surviving. At 50 Km/h their
chances of survival are only 50/50.
Precautions to make winter driving safer
•
Ensure the vehicle is serviced at the correct frequencies. Check tyres have the correct tread depth, are in
good condition and of the correct inflation pressures.
•
Make sure windscreen wipers and washers are working correctly and that the washer fluid contains an anti-
freeze solution.
• Make sure windows are thoroughly defrosted before driving off in the morning.
• Use lights on your vehicle at all times of the day. As daylight hours in the day become shorter and poor
weather conditions more prevalent, make sure you can be seen by other road users.
•
Be mindful to only use fog lights when appropriate – During good visibility or daylight conditions these can
be distracting to other drivers who may be dazzled by the intensity of these lighting units.
•
Ensure that you have adequate spare warm clothing, shovel, torch and drinks available in your vehicle in case
of emergency.