Roads are more dangerous in winter. Snow, ice, fog, rain and hail are more likely to occur and make driving conditions difficult. This is especially true over the high ground of the county. In snow and ice, a stretch of road that is normally a gentle incline can become impossible to traverse. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can get into difficulties. Please always drive carefully and when conditions are particularly poor think about whether your journey is really essential. If in doubt, get up-to-date travel information from local media and check the weather forecast for the area that you are travelling to.
Never try to use a road that has been closed - it has been closed for a good reason and you can put yourself and others in danger by ignoring warnings. Abandoned vehicles make road clearance more difficult.
Preparation is important when winter conditions prevail - both in terms of vehicle maintenance and personal equipment. These are some suggestions for what can be done to prepare:
Vehicle
- Keep your vehicle regularly serviced
- Check tyre pressures and tread once a week
- Keep your battery fully charged - cold starting and use of heaters, etc in winter puts much greater demands on batteries
- Thoroughly clean windscreens and mirrors before setting out
- Check that your screen wash bottle is full and contains a suitable windscreen antifreeze additive
- Use a winter grade of fuel in diesel engines
- Always ensure that you have plenty of fuel to undertake the journey - cars can consume more in cold conditions and you may need to to run the engine to provide heat if you are stuck in snow
- Keep a good tow rope and jump-leads in your car
- A shovel can be useful for clearing snow if necessary
Personal
- Carry extra warm clothing, waterproof jacket, boots and gloves
- A warm blanket is useful to have in case your vehicle breaks down or you get stuck in a remote location
- Carry a good torch with fully charged batteries
- Take a hot drink and some suitable food with you (e.g. food that will not quickly deteriorate)
- Do not drive if your are ill and less able to cope with difficult conditions
- Carry a mobile phone for emergency use
- Have a sufficiently detailed map of the area in which you are travelling
- Tell someone where you are going, your route and when you expect to get there
If you are caught in heavy snow, wrap up warm and stay inside your vehicle if possible. Trying to walk somewhere in blizzard conditions, particularly on unfamiliar ground, is hazardous, especially at night. If it is essential to leave the car, wait until the weather calms down before setting off. If appropriate, use your phone to call for guidance or assistance from the emergency services and to report your location and condition to friends or relatives.