Do's and don'ts for Driving on Ice & Snow

TIPS FOR DRIVING ON THE SNOW & ICE

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DO’S…

• Dig out your vehicle after fresh snowfall
• Clear ALL the snow from your vehicle
• Clear ALL the ice from your windows and mirrors
• Carry out your vehicle roadworthiness checks
• Park facing downhill or on level ground
• When parking, leave adequate space in front of the vehicle for easy exit
• Park safely and fit your snow chains before you get stuck
• Park with the wipers pulled away from the windscreen
• Drive with lights on when it’s snowing
• Drive with snow chains when in deep snow
• Drive at a slow and safe pace at all times
• Keep your momentum going steadily when driving uphill
• Use your gears to slow down and be in a low gear before negotiating a corner
• Keep your distance
• Look ahead for hazards all the time
• Drive away from the steep edges (traffic permitting)
• Stop if necessary and allow traffic to pass by
• Keep a shovel and ice-scraper in your vehicle
• Try and reverse out when stuck as the first option
• Ensure you embark/disembark passengers on the kerbside
• Ensure skis are stored safely

DON’T…

• Park facing uphill on snow or ice
• Try and start driving uphill on snow or ice from a stationery position
• Stop when going uphill unless necessary
• Continue spinning the wheels when stuck
• Slam the breaks on whilst on ice or snow
• Freewheel or ride the clutch when driving downhill or whilst negotiating corners
• Drive onto the soft or deep snow at the edges
• Don’t steer or brake erratically
• Park somewhere that is difficult to reverse out of
• Try and use your window wipers to clear heavy snowfall from your windscreen