February 10, 2009

UK drivers need to show more grit, not just the counc

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), have issued advice for driving in the current spate of poor weather.  As the UK hunkers down for more bad weather, be it driving rain, freezing temperatures or a February blizzard, the UK population still needs to commute and go about their daily lives.  With the aid of the Institute of Advanced Motorists guide the journey doesn’t need to be too perilous.

An estimated six million drivers will take to the roads in the coming few days - there are measures that they can take to minimise their risk and the risk of fellow motorists.   IAM Chief Examiner Peter Rodger, comments: "Blame for some of the problems may focus on the lack of salt - but a lack of grit on the part of many drivers also led to difficulties, especially on side roads up and down the UK.
"In the last week, poorly prepared drivers and vehicles have ended up stranded by driving conditions that for which they had little or no experience.
“Blizzards and strong side winds are predicted, with more snow and ice, plus the inevitable local flooding that follows. These would challenge even experienced drivers,”

The IAM have identified five areas of risk that people are likely to encounter and set out practical and usable advice to minimise the chance of accident when driving in adverse conditions.

FRESH SNOW – get your speed right (not too fast to lose control, and not too slow to risk losing momentum); create lots of room around you and do everything smoothly – braking, steering, accelerating. Start gently from stationary, avoiding high revs.

HEAVY RAIN – watch for the shiny patches that are lying water; give yourself a longer gap to other traffic, and be ready to slow down when you need to.  If you’re on the motorway or a dual carriageway try to avoid using your brakes as much as possible by keeping your speed down through not accelerating.  Keep the demister working to maximise visibility; avoid soaking pedestrians by running through puddles.

FLOODING – lower your speed right down and where possible choose the most shallow route available.  This may mean using the middle of the road but if the water is that deep it’s unlikely that anything will be speeding in the other direction.. Use a low gear to keep revs high but control speed by slipping the clutch (and beware that water could enter the exhaust, so keep the revs up).  The safest way to deal with a flooded road is probably to keep away from it if possible.

FOG – the lead vehicle in a queue will clear pockets of fog, potentially deceiving vehicles following that the conditions are clearer than they are. Don’t use full beam. Use wipers on the outside and the demister inside to keep your visibility as clear as possible.

HIGH WINDS – give yourself more space, with plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front; take particular care when passing large vehicles and motorcycles, and be ready for side winds at gaps in buildings or as you come out of a cutting. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to side winds.

The UK doesn’t suffer from extreme weather often enough to justify spending billions on infrastructure dealing with is occurrence.  As a result when we experience extreme weather we’re often caught short, your new sensible driving skills will help you avoid suffering the worst effects of the bad weather.

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