As yellow weather warnings cover the majority of Scotland, many drivers will be feeling the pressure when trekking out onto the ice-ridden roads of the country.
With snow storms imminent, and the festive season in full swing, many people will be looking for advice on how to drive safely in the bad weather.
Thankfully, the experts at Zuto Car Finance have revealed their top tips on how to drive in all winter weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow and ice, winter sun and more.
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Read on below for a handy guide into driving in heavy rain, snow, sleet, winter sun and other worsening weather conditions.
How to drive safely through bad weather conditions
Heavy Rain
The following tips come from driving experts on how to navigate heavy rain while behind the wheel:
- Watch your speed and distance with other vehicles: don’t forget, your braking distance will be twice as long in rainy weather.
- Be careful of the spray on the road: Make sure your wipers are in a good condition to deal with this.
- Dipped headlights are safer to use:
- Using dipped headlights, even in the daytime, will make sure that your car is visible, even in the worst of rain.
- Don’t forget to put your fog lamps on only when visibility is below 100m. Be cautious when using fog lamps on dark winter mornings, as it can dazzle other drivers. If you can see the rear lights of another car in front of you, it’s best not to use your fog lights.
- Watch out for surface water: Make sure to always take care when driving on wet roads and adjust your speed accordingly. Speeding on the roads can cause your car to lose grip, also known as aquaplaning.
- If aquaplaning happens, don’t brake, simply ease off the accelerator and keep your hands on the steering wheel until your speed naturally decreases or you clear the water.
- Avoid driving through deep water as this may cause damage to your car.
Snow and Ice
When it comes to driving in snow, many people panic when their back wheels skid out. Taking things slowly is the key to driving in wintry weather.
- Accelerate gently to avoid your wheels spinning: When pulling away from a stationary start, be sure to put your car in second gear and rev gently to get create motion.
- Monitor your speed and distance: Like driving in the rain, stopping distances will be significantly more in snowy conditions (up to ten times greater), so consider slowing down.
- Watch out for glare: Keep your windscreen clean and wear sunglasses as low winter sun and snow can massively reduce your visibility.
- Beware of skidding: Do not hit the brakes if you feel the car starting to skid. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and allow the car to slow before you gain control again.
- If you find your car starting to spin, steer into it and straighten up again whilst softly pumping the brakes.
Winter Sunshine
Sunshine that is high and blinding can be even more frustrating to drive in than rain, as you struggle to see against the glare of your windscreen. Follow these tips to stay safe.
- Invest in a pair of protective sunglasses: Keeping a good pair of sunglasses in your car will protect your eyes from UV rays and drastically reduce the sunrays which can obstruct your vision.
- Leave a greater distance between you and the car in front of you: Bright light reduces your reaction time so leaving extra room will make sure you’re covered.
- Tint your vehicle’s windows: Some specialist garages can tint your windows by placing a film on your windscreen, which can help block sunrays.
Strong Winds
This advice is particularly helpful for those who live to the north of the capital, in the Queensferry area.
- Keep your speed down: Reducing your speed is important to ensure that strong wind doesn’t cause disruption, to help stay alert and attentive on the road.
- Hold the steering wheel firmly: Gusts of winds can come and go so it’s important to have a firm grip on the wheel.
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