Advice for drivers
As a road user (motorist or pedestrian), you will have a responsibility to yourself, your passengers and other road users. Here are some suggestions as to what you can do to assist in having a safe journey.
- Consider whether your journey is necessary
- Obtain the latest weather information
- Plan your journey (route and timing), allowing yourself extra time
- Tell someone of your plans
- Consider carrying winter tyres or snow chains in your car
- Do you have experience in adverse weather driving? (consider a course in skid control)
- As a pedestrian, are you wearing warm clothing and appropriate footwear?
- Could you use alternative means of transport?
- Consider joining a recognised breakdown/recovery service
- When driving, travel slowly, at a safe distance from the vehicle in front and no harsh braking or steering
- When driving, always use dipped headlights when visibility is poor, due to rain, snow or fog
- When driving in heavy rain or through floods, drive slowly to reduce the risk of aquaplaning
- It is better to travel a little further on a main road that has been treated with salt than to use untreated minor roads
- No guarantee can be given that roads will always be completely clear of ice or snow and it takes time for salt to become effective after roads are salted
- Rain can wash salt off roads leaving them prone to re-icing and in severe cold weather with temperatures below -8˚C, salt will not be as effective on icy roads
- 'Dawn Frost' occurs on dry roads when early morning dew falls on cold road surfaces and freezes on impact
- If raining, salting will commence when rain stops, to avoid salt from being washed away
- During rush hours, traffic congestion will almost certainly delay the salting operation
- FINALLY, even the most carefully organised procedures can suffer setbacks or mechanical breakdowns and as a result, some salting routes may not be treated as quickly as programmed.
Check:
- Your tyre pressures are at the recommended level and that the tread depth is correct. Don't forget your spare!Your vehicle's lights are clean and in working order
- Your wiper system is working effectively, your washer bottles are full and contain a suitable additive to prevent freezing
- Your battery is in good condition, topped up and fully charged
- Your antifreeze is at the correct strength (your garage can do this for you)
- Make sure that all your windows and mirrors are completely clear of ice and condensation
- Keep available a can of de-icer and a scraper and cover your car's windscreen with a blanket overnight
- For longer journeys, consider taking a flask of hot drink, a blanket and a shovel.
Salting route map (PDF, 2 MB)(opens new window) PDF (2.7mb)