Anyone who needs to travel over the festive season should plan their journeys thoroughly to reduce the need to use their breakdown insurance, it has been suggested.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is calling on motorists to make simple checks on their vehicles before they head off to avoid being left stranded by the side of the road.
"Safer winter driving is about good preparation - making sure that you are in a good state to drive, that your vehicle is in a good condition and that you’ve planned your journey," noted RoSPA's head of road safety Kevin Clinton.
He said that it is important for people to understand and appreciate how weather conditions can affect driving, especially as the roads are likely to be more slippery than usual.
Making sure that lights are kept as clean as possible can help other road users see another car is on the road, which may minimise the risk of a collision, RoSPA suggested.
"Consider when to drive, which might mean avoiding driving in the early hours of the morning, when you have had less sleep than normal, or in mid-afternoon after eating a large meal," Mr Clinton advised.
Driving while tired can lead to accidents, especially as the driver does not have time to swerve or break when they encounter other motorists.
Breaking distances will increase considerably in icy weather, which any driver must bear in mind when heading out in cold conditions.
Experts suggest that brakes and the accelerator should not be applied too harshly as this can lead to a loss of control.
The best advice is simply not to drive in difficult conditions unless it is absolutely necessary, Mr Clinton revealed, as this can minimise the likelihood of making claims on breakdown insurance. |
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