Christmas & Winter Driving

Anytime of year is bad enough to have a breakdown or an accident in your car but at Christmas time it's even more stressful. Working as I do in a Motorway Control Room seeing and dealing with what we have to makes me want to remind all drivers and riders to take extra care at this time of year.

Also make sure your vehicle is ready for winter, check the oil and water, antifreeze , screen wash check your tyres and all the other things we normally don't do. Carry some spare coats and warm clothes in the vehicle in case you breakdown or get stuck somewhere. Take your medication with you just in case especially if you are going on a long trip, listen to all the traffic news you can before you set out,
And if you don't have Breakdown Cover shop around and get some it will be the best thing you've done especially if you are unfortunate enough to breakdown at this time of year. Nearly forgot to mention, make sure you don't run out of petrol/ diesel, as believe it or not there are some drivers out there who un- believable as it is run out of fuel.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Excellent advice. I carry a flashlight, a small shovel for digging out of snow, extra tissues, a couple of ice scrapers, and of course my mobile phone. New England winters can be brutal.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

I try to avoid driving in really bad weather. It makes me really scared if it's icey. Hopefully we'll have a mild Winter

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Me too but I won't have a choice this year I now have to drive to work in the evenings. Dreading it if we get snow.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

The roads would be a lot safer in really bad weather if that was everybodies attitude. Good for you alice76!

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Agree, although according to the long range forecast we will get a lot of rain , but will be milder then last few Winters .
Fingers crossed they are right. An extra bonus would the be that fuel bills will be lower.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Yes, those fuel bills can be awful. Personally, I have no use whatsoever for Winter.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

I heeded a snow warning by the Government last year. The warning said that anyone travelling in icy conditions should carry:
A shovel, blankets or sleeping bag, extra clothing including scarf, hat and gloves as well as 24 hours supply of food and drink, a de-icer, 5Kgs of rock salt, a torch or lantern with spare batteries Plus Road flares and reflective triangles, a tow rope,
a 5 gallon petrol jerry can, a first aid kit and jump leads, etc.

I felt a complete prat on the bus!!

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Love that one VM.

Re: Christmas & Winter Driving

Having spent the last twelve years in the foothills of the Jizerka mountains in Eastern Europe where we always had at least two foot of snow and the roads were covered in ice from January to March it has become 'normal' to carry all the things mentioned.

I would also add that in those countries it is mandatory to have the so called 'winter tyres' which is something I now have fitted to my cars all year round.