The car is frozen, so allow yourself extra time to defrost the car, make sure you have good all round visibility – not just your windscreen. DO NOT SWITCH ON THE CAR ENGINE AND LEAVE THE CAR – if your car is gone when you come back out, the car insurance is invalid as you left the keys in it! Think First! Plan ahead!
The roads are icy, busy, difficult, and it may be dark. You may be a newly qualified driver or lack experience and confidence in these conditions, so allow yourself extra time to make the journey. Stopping distances can increase by 10 times in icy conditions – leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front.
If you feel stressed whilst driving, pull over somewhere safe, legal and convenient and compose yourself. Chill! Set off again in your own time when you feel ready.
Make sure you know where all the controls are on your car – lights, demisters, air conditioning, fog lights, wipers etc. Put these on, where applicable, before you set off – then you can concentrate on driving and planning ahead.
Antifreeze – check it is at the correct level?
Tyres – is the tread depth ok and are they at the correct pressure?
Have you got enough fuel or do you need to fill up?
Windscreen/washer fluid use Screenwash – it contains alcohol which freezes at a lower temperature than water.
Drive Carefully and Arrive Safely!
