Information - NFF

Winter Driving
Information
Winter Driving Checklist for Drivers
As a road user (motorist or pedestrian) you have a
responsibility to yourself, your passenger and other
road users. Here are some suggestions as to what
you can do to help you have a safe journey during
the winter months.
1. Consider whether your journey is absolutely
essential
2. Obtain the latest weather information
3. Plan your journey, allowing yourself extra
time if required
4. Ensure your eyesight is up to the relevant
standard (have your eyes checked at least
every two years)
5. Tell someone your journey plan
6. Do you have experience in winter driving?
(Consider a course in skid control)
7. Consider joining a recognised breakdown/
recovery service
8. When driving travel slowly and at a safe
distance from the vehicle in front to avoid
harsh braking and steering
9. When driving in poor visibility always use
dipped headlights
10. It is always better to travel a little further on
a main road that has been salted than to use
untreated minor roads. WARNING – Treated
roads may still be icy
11. Be aware of ‘Dawn Frost’, which occurs on
dry roads when early morning dew falls on
cold surfaces and freezes on impact
12. Finally, don’t automatically assume roads
have been salted; even the most carefully
organised procedures can suffer setbacks or
mechanical breakdowns and as a result some
salting routes may not always be treated as
quickly as programmed.
Winter Driving Checklist for Your
Car
Before starting a journey check:
1. Your tyre pressures are at the recommended
level and that the tread depth is correct.
Don’t forget to check the spare as well
2. Your vehicle lights are clean and in working
order
3. Your wiper system is working effectively, your
washer bottles are full and contain suitable
additive to prevent freezing
4. Your battery is in good condition, topped up
and fully charged
5. Your anti-freeze is at the correct strength
6. That all your windows and mirrors are
completely clear of ice and condensation
7. That you have a can of de-icer and a scraper.
Also overnight use a suitable cover to keep
your windscreen free from ice
8. That, for long journeys, you have considered
taking a flask of hot drink, a blanket, a torch
and a shovel.
If you do get into trouble…
Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop
somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside
emergency telephone, because the breakdown/
emergency services will be able to locate you
easily. If you have to use a mobile phone, make
sure you know your location from the numbers on
the marker posts on the side of the hard shoulder.
Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles
and snowploughs. To ensure that the road is
cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your
vehicle until help arrives.
If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make
sure other drivers can see you.
Driving in Floods
Driving through water can be extremely
hazardous. Flooding in the UK has become an
annual event which can cause major problems on
the roads.
Floods usually occur after a period of heavy rainfall
when rivers burst their banks or drains fail to cope
with the quantity of water. Sudden large volumes
of water can cause flash-floods.
If you need to travel anywhere affected
by floods, firstly ask yourself is the journey
absolutely necessary?
Things to consider
o Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly
near rivers
o Do not attempt to drive through a flood unless
you are sure how deep the water is. Be aware
that water can hide dips in the road. In extreme
circumstances there may be no road at all under
the water. Flooding can wash away the entire
road surface and a significant amount of ground
beneath
o Only 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of
most passenger cars; this depth can cause loss of
control or possible stalling as water is sucked into
the exhaust or washes into the air intake
o If negotiating a flooded section of road, drive
slowly and steadily in low gear without stopping
o If possible observe other vehicles to get an
indication of the safest route through the flood
o Consider other drivers and pedestrians – pass
through flooded sections one car at a time, don’t
drive through water against approaching vehicles
o Many cars will start to float in as little as
one foot of water – this can be extremely
dangerous because as the wheels lose grip,
control will be lost
o Two feet of flowing water can sweep away most
vehicles including large four-wheel drive cars.
Don’t try driving through fast-moving water
o Always test your brakes, whilst driving slowly,
after driving through a flood.
For further information your Ministry of
Defence Police contacts are:
Community Safety Department –
community.safety@mdpga.mod.uk
PS George Smart – 01436 674 321 x7249 –
george.smart371@mdpga.mod.uk
PS Gavin Alcroft – 01228 794 576 –
gavinalcroft247@mdpga.mod.uk
PC Fiona Franklin – 01252 355 894 –
fiona.franklin676@mdpga.mod.uk
PS Debs Walden – 01225 883 410 –
deborah.walden300@mdpga.mod.uk
HOMEPORT AUTUMN 2011 33