Fundamentally the Weather plays one of the biggest factors to how we drive!
If it is dry and bright, we possibly drive at our maximum capabilities.
If it is snowing or icy we possibly drive at our most reserved capabilities.
Why?
Well it's quite simple.
We trust that we know our vehicles and their capabilities on general normal everyday roads and in good weather, whereas when it comes to weather we are not so familiar with we "hold back".
We're not too sure how well the capabilities of ourselves or our vehicles are when it comes to weather we do not experience regularly.
SNOW
This is why when drivers from countries that have snow regularly, have no problem driving in it.
They are prepared for it, have the correct equipment on board such as snow chains, a shovel, a blanket, some food and a hot drink and a charged mobile phone just as some of the basics.
They know that 1st gear is not suitable to pull away in on snow, and may possibly use 3rd gear instead.
In the UK, we don't get enough of it or have instructors who are willing to go out in it with their pupils to give them some essential experience.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
1. Driving Instructors are first and foremost about Road Safety.
Is it sensible to go out on the roads in the snow?
2. If a pupil looses control of their car by skidding in snow or ice, there is possibly not a lot an instructor could do to assist.
This could then end up resulting in the car getting damaged. They could not then teach until their car is fixed.
So this is why the subject to teach or not is always a contentious subject.
For me, I would say it has to depend on how bad the weather actually is.
Have the main roads within my area been treated?
Can I pick up a pupil from their address safely?
Can I drive them to a safe location that has an adequate amount of snow for use to gain some essential experience without getting stuck ourselves and without putting anyone at risk?
If I can answer yes to both of these questions then it is highly likely that I will offer pupils who are willing, the opportunity to gain some additional road skills to help them deal with snow in the future.
Things that MUST BE CONSIDERED if you are going to drive in snow!
Only travel if the journey is essential!
Ensure that you are prepared!
in the least we recommend:-
Enough fuel for the journey.
A charged mobile phone or a way of charging it.
Ice scraper or de-icer.
Additional clothing and a blanket in case your vehicle breaks down and you need to stay with your vehicle, it will keep you warm until assistance arrives.
A shovel to dig yourself out of snow.
Some food and hot drink.
Hi-Viz Clothing
Jump leads in case you battery goes flat and another vehicle can jump start you.
Empty fuel can in case you do end up running out of fuel. As the weather improves you'll have the facility to go and get some to then be able to continue your journey, but always ensure it is safe to do so.
A torch and maybe a flashing beacon to highlight your stranded vehicle.
A warning triangle that can be placed away from your vehicle in case snow drifts cover your car.
Sunglasses, a white-out can be painful on your eyes.
A First aid kit.
Possibly snow chains.
Always remember when driving in Snow or Ice, stopping distances are hugely increased. Up to 10 times that of a normal dry well surfaced road. Therefore a 20 second following distance should be kept from you and any vehicle you are travelling behind. A vehicle will take substantially longer time to come to a complete stop on Snow or Ice. Don't be the fool and follow the safe following distance rule!
When moving off in Snow or Ice, it is highly advised to use the highest possible gear to do so. Using 1st gear to move off in snow or ice will cause wheel spin and will possibly end up digging you into the snow, or causing the car to skid on ice.
When slowing, break earlier and gentler, and when cornering, corner gently and at a reduced speed also.
If you do break down, in the first instance, try and allow you vehicle to be in as safe a place as possible to begin with by allowing it to roll to a stop in a safer place rather than just stopping in the middle of a road.
Call for recovery or assistance but don't put other family or friends at risk, use the professionals.
If your vehicle is in a safe place, stay with it keep the engine running if you can to stay warm, but be prepared to use your blankets, warm drinks etc to ensure you remain safe until assistance arrives.
DON'T PUT YOURSELF AT RISK.
As much as we like our climate in the UK
THE SUN can cause as many issues as the snow.
It can cause glare, that could affect your vision ahead of you, or even mask a vehicle brake lights when the sun is low enough in the sky.
When roads are wet and the sun is low in the sky, this can cause various issues.
You may not see traffic lights change, a pedestrian walk into the road, you may not be able to see lane markings and end up on the wrong side of the road amongst other things.
But just because we've grown up with relatively good weather and know or think we know how to deal with it, when it comes to driving, it as a whole new ball game of things we may need to adapt to.
Other things the sun can cause issues to.
If it gets very hot, the sun can cause roads to melt!
Overheating of not only your car but you as well, so always ensure you check not only your hydration levels, but also check you cars as well.
Children or Animals left unattended in a car on a hot day could kill them, and without a doubt if you returned to a smashed window don't be surprised.
This will possibly be because the welfare of the child or animal was higher on someone else's radar than your own.
When there have been days of dry weather, the exhaust substances that come from yours and every other road user vehicle, it produces a film of oil that builds up over time. On the first day of rain after a dry spell, it is prudent to be aware of potentially slippery roads from this film.
After a day or two of rain this should become neutralised.
FOG! = FOOT OFF GAS
In other words = SLOW DOWN
Fog can catch you out in seconds!
Especially when driving across open plains that may have dips in the road. These dips may contain areas of moisture and have a different temperature that cause fog to just spring up out of nowhere.
Remember if visibility is reduced to less than 100 meters you should put on your rear fog lights but ensure to switch them off again as visibility improves.
WIND tends to be the least of car drivers concerns out of all the different weather conditions we have to deal with in the UK.
However! It has as many dangers as any of the other weather conditions.
Think about these:-
High sided vehicles.
Motor Bikes.
Cyclists.
Frail People.
The Disabled.
Open areas of land.
The list is not exhaustive but some of the biggest dangers for drivers are other vulnerable road users.
RAIN
If it's not sunny it's raining in the UK as a whole.
The biggest dangers to watch out for with rain.
Following distances should DOUBLE at a minimum!
The risk of Aqua planning.
Penalties for deliberately splashing a pedestrian from driving through a puddle.
Hydro-locking your engine. (driving through water too deep for your cars air intake)
The video below shows how to deal with a Ford across the road.