Temperatures have plummeted across the UK, with the Met Office issuing a number of amber and yellow weather warnings – including for snow in parts of Scotland.
In some areas of the country, the public is advised to travel only if ‘absolutely essential’. The cold weather is forecast to continue until Friday 20 January.
If you need to venture out and you encounter snow on the road, it’s vital to be prepared and drive accordingly. Read on for our top 10 tips for driving in the snow.
How to drive in the snow
- Be smooth. Sudden steering or sharp pedal inputs could result in a loss of traction.
- Keep your speed down. This will mean you can stop more quickly if necessary.
- Use higher gears when setting off and keep engine revs low. Drop to a lower gear when slowing down or descending a hill.
- Look far ahead, leaving a gap between your car and other vehicles. This will give you plenty of time to react to obstacles.
- Brake ahead of a corner. If you do experience a skid, steer into it.
- Use dipped headlights and switch on your fog lights if visibility drops below 100 metres. Turn them off once vision improves.
- Clear your car of snow before driving away. Not just the windows, but also the roof.
- Check your tyres. Worn tyres will provide less grip in the snow. Consider winter tyres if you regularly drive in cold temperatures.
- Be cautious of black ice. Just because the road looks clear, it doesn’t mean you won’t skid.
- Four-wheel drive will help you keep moving, but it won’t help you stop any sooner.
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