The onset of winter brings on a change in road conditions and, with it, the need for motorists to adopt a ‘wet weather attitude’.
Visibility
When visibility is poor, turn your headlights on – not on high beam, as this will dazzle other drivers. In fact it’s actually easier to see in foggy conditions on low beam.
Safety
Make sure that you allow several car lengths between you and the car in front to allow for greater reaction time and stopping distance.
Tyre safety
Your tyres are all that’s between you and the car in front, so allow greater reaction time and stopping distance. You must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread over the entire tread area (1.5mm is roughly equal to the depth of a match head – use this to check if your tread is adequate). Make sure all the tyres, including the spare, have adequate tread. If any are worn, replace them.
Windscreen wipers
Before the winter months set in, make sure your windscreen wipers are working well and the blades haven’t split or perished. Replace blades regularly when you wash your car and check for signs of deterioration like smears on the windscreen.
Aquaplaning
This occurs when your tyres glide over the water rather than separate it, resulting in a loss of traction, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. To reduce your chances of aquaplaning the message is simple – slow down in the wet.
Do – take your foot off the accelerator and reduce your car’s speed.
Don’t – slam on the brakes, as this may increase your chances of skidding out of control.
Fog and Rain
Driving through fog and rain can be hazardous and requires extra care. In these conditions, reduce your speed to a level where you can comfortably see the road and traffic ahead. Keep in mind that the signed speed limit is the maximum safe speed in good driving conditions.
Check out Streefleet website for Drivier Safety Education, Training and Evaluation here