Tomorrow and Sunday (November 15 and 16), Highways Agency targeted traffic officers will be on hand at motorway service stations across England to advise on winter driving, organizing journeys over Christmas and checking your auto just before driving extended distances in adverse weather.
Snap, crackle, pop
We may have had a wet and soggy winter so far, but it only takes one cold snap for roads to freeze over and conditions to turn out to be hazardous for drivers.
It’s poor sufficient your car breaking down when it is hot and sunny, but freezing your proverbials off at the roadside when it happens in winter makes things a complete lot a lot more painful.
It’s showtime…
The Highways Agency initiative is component of scheme named ‘Operation Showtime’. There’s no need for jazz hands although – this operation is all about producing positive we, and our cars, are prepared for winter climate.
I’d have gone for ‘snowtime’, but in no way mind. And there’s no circumstance I can think of that is not enhanced with a bit of jazz-handing.
Kit automobiles
Brian Hensby, the Highways Agency operations manager in charge of ‘Operation Showtime’ mentioned: “We’d suggest drivers put collectively a winter emergency kit for their auto – with crucial products like warm clothes, a torch, de-icer, ice scrapers, shovel and boots.
“We also advise checking your vehicle – is the tread depth on your tyres protected? Do your brakes function appropriately? Is your heating okay?
“If you are thinking about a winter service for your car, be certain to get it done at least a week ahead of any lengthy journeys – sadly, there are countless examples of autos establishing difficulties for the duration of the really first journey right after a check-up.”
Be prepared
As effectively as generating positive your car has been serviced, there are lots of standard checks you can carry out to make confident your vehicle is set for winter.
As Hensby points out, checking your tyres is crucial – if they are worn, you’re considerably a lot more likely to skid. The tread legally demands to be at least 1.6mm, but if you are driving in winter it ought to ideally be far more than 2mm.
The 20 pence piece test is a doddle. Insert the coin into the tread and, if you can see the rim above the tread depth, your subsequent journey need to be to a tyre provider.
And you may well want to feel about investing in winter tyres if you live in a rural location where roads aren’t frequently gritted.
Assault on your battery
You must also verify your oil level, hazard lights and anti-freeze, and think about when you last changed your battery, which requires a hammering in the winter simply because of the additional load from lights and heating. If it is more than 5 years old, you may possibly want to consider about replacing it.
Consider about the sort of oil you are employing as effectively – the thicker it is, the much less effectively it will lubricate, so you’ll require to alter it regularly and make positive the level is between the maximum and minimum marks on the dipstick.
Do not be shy about getting a garage to give your vehicle a pre-winter wellness-verify. It’ll expense you, but peace of mind seldom comes without a price tag.
Afore ye go…
Make positive you are prepared for any winter climate that might hit even though you’re on the road. If you’ve got a long journey scheduled, appear at the weather forecast prior to leaving home and check the newest traffic details for delays.
Use frequent sense and do not travel in situations that are hazardous. If you have to, delay your plans – it’s greater to be inconvenienced than to place your self and other passengers in any sort of danger.
Timing is almost everything
Hensby said: “It may be a case of leaving earlier, or leaving a tiny later, or merely organizing the best locations for rest stops along the way.
“You can’t have as well a lot info ahead of you set off: and the much more you know, the much more likely you are to get pleasure from a smoother journey this winter.”
You can get in touch with the Highways Agency Data Line on 0300 123 5000 or pay a visit to its site for information about road incidents and circumstances.
Large up for breakdown cover…
It’s a great notion to have complete breakdown cover in location so that you have a person to contact on to get you to safety – and so you can steer clear of hefty garage call-out costs.
Highway stars shine at M-way service stations this weekend
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