Wintry conditions can be tough to drive in, but add for good measure three large storms in the space of a week and things can get a whole lot harder.
Driving in storms can be notoriously difficult, with Brits having been advised not to take to the roads unless absolutely necessary at times over the last week.
On Friday storm Eunice, the most severe of the three, rattled across the country with wind speeds in some places passing the 100mph mark. At the time of writing, four people are known to have lost their lives.
However, staying home isn’t an option for everyone. For some people, a car journey cannot be avoided - if this is you, read on for top expert tips on how to stay safe on the roads during the storms.
How to drive safely in a storm
Follow these top tips for navigating the roads in the storms.
Watch out for fallen trees
Speaking to HullLive, CEO of MotorEasy Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “Storms pose a real threat to life for many reasons, but one of the main ones is felled trees blocking roads.
“This is especially true in rural areas where suddenly encountering a fallen tree around a sharp corner on a country lane could lead to a serious accident and pose a major risk to life.
“But there is something to watch out for that can act as a vital early warning system for any trouble ahead.
“And that is seeing lots of twigs and leaves on the road as this could be an indication that the wind has caused significant damage to trees and other foliage in the area."
Claims firm The Compensation Experts, have provided some top tips for staying safe on the roads in stormy conditions.
Check the forecast before you travel
It might sound obvious, but knowing what is going to be ahead of you before you head out is winter driving 101.
Make sure you check a forecast before setting off - with live updates and to the minute predictions knowing what to expect on your journey has never been easier.
Maintain a safe distance
Stormy conditions can come with added rain, snow or ice – all of which will massively increase the distance your car needs to stop.
To mitigate this dangerous factor, ensure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front so that in an emergency you can stop fully without hitting them.
Approach junctions intending to stop before you get there, because, as per the Highway Code, stopping distances can be 10 times the distance in icy conditions.
Keep your gears high
Driving in a high gear will help you maintain better control of your vehicle - if you are finding it hard to get your motor moving, try shifting up to second gear to pull away.
Use your lights
Before you head off, make sure your lights are working as well as possible.
Your car might also have some automatic light settings that, if fairly new, you might not know about. Learn about these and how to override them if necessary.
Get your tyre pressures just right
With grip lowered in winter it's important your tyres are fighting fit. A legal amount of tyre tread is 1.6 mm, however, grip starts to be reduced when you get below 4 mm so make sure you replace them if needed.
Winter tyres may also be handy for people living in snowy parts of the country.
Driving in a flood
The RAC say that when navigating deep water it is important to size it up first.
The rescue firm says it is worth getting out of your vehicle, "even if it means you have to stop your car and get out (getting a bit wet is a lot better than being left stranded). If the water is muddy you might not be able to see the bottom and gauge its depth. Try and find a stick or an object to find the lowest point."
If the water is too deep or you're not sure about it then it is always best to try to go around.
If you decide it is shallow enough to drive through make sure there are no objects in the water that could damage your vehicle.
The RAC added: "Once you’ve confirmed you can drive through the puddle and determined your route, keep your vehicle in a low gear (second is generally adequate) and engine revs up. This will help you maintain momentum when you travel through the puddle, creating a bow wave so you don’t get bogged down."
Creating a small bow wave can be good for helping you to move forward but don't go too quickly, otherwise, the water can rush back into your car's engine.
"Once you exit the other side – and especially if the puddle is on the deep side – pause for a moment if you can to let any excess water drain away and flow back to where it came from."
Make sure you check your brakes after driving through deep water.
Prepare for your journey
Underwriters esure have given a list of basics and essentials you should have in your car when driving in wintry and stormy conditions.
They list the following as basics everyone should have in their motor:
- A torch – pack a wind-up model that doesn’t need batteries
- Warm clothes
- Food and drink that will keep for a while – think bottled water and energy bars
- A warm insulated blanket
- First aid kit
- A shovel
- Hi-vis vest
- A phone charger or fully charged power bank
- Any essential medication that you need to take regularly
They suggest a list of items for your car your emergency pack shouldn’t be without:
- Jump leads
- De-icer
- Ice scraper
- A warning triangle
