281 February 2018 - Gryffe Advertizer

january 2018
12
the advertizer
SEE A POTHOLE? REPORT IT!
12
Call 01475 717171
Report online at
https://myaccount.inverclyde.g
ov.uk/site/inverclydewss/home
/Pothole
You can also write to:
Inverclyde Council
Municipal Buildings
Clyde Square
GREENOCK
PA15 1LY
Call 0300 3000 300
Online fault report at
https://selfservice.renfrewshir
e.gov.uk/Ef3/General.jsp?for
m=SS_RoadAndLightFault&p
age=pg_locatestreet
You can also write to:
Community Resources
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley, PA1 1BR
Winter Driving
Prepare for the winter by keeping your vehicle well maintained before you
take to the road. Reduced daylight hours and the possibility of inclement
weather place additional demands on all road users.
Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and
wiper blades are in good condition and well maintained. In addition, washer
bottles need to contain an additive to stop the water from freezing.
When did you last check your tyres? Tyres should be checked weekly
to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure (check the vehicle
handbook). The minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the
centre ¾ of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference (1
mm for motorcycles). They should also be checked for bulges, cuts or tears
which will weaken the tyre. Failure to maintain your tyres could lead to a
maximum of £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.
Windscreens, wiper blades and windows must be kept clean and free
from defects. Make sure it is properly demisted and clear of snow and ice
before you drive. Low sun can make it difficult to see and a dirty, greasy or
damage windscreen can make this worse.
In wet weather stopping distances will be at least double those required for
stopping on dry roads. Aquaplaning can be a frightening experience. This
is where a wedge of water builds up between the front tyres and the road
surface. The safest solution is to remove the pressure from the accelerator,
allowing the vehicle to lose speed and the tyres to regain their grip.
Keep well back from the road user in front in icy or snowy weather. Stopping
distances can be ten times greater. When the roads are icy, drive at slow
speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently
High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather. Motorcyclists and
cyclists can easily be blown off course particularly in open stretches of
road exposed to strong crosswinds.
When driving in fog use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you.
Fog lights can only be used when visibility is seriously reduced to less
than 100 metres but they must be switched off if visibility improves. Be
prepared for a bank of fog or drifting patchy fog ahead. Even if it seems to
be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself in thick fog.
Avoid driving in icy or snowy conditions unless your journey is essential.
If you do, we recommend you take an emergency kit of: scraper, de-icer,
torch, first aid kit, jump leads, shovel, warm drink and emergency food in
case you get stuck or break down.
Further information
• Traffic Scotland - http://www.trafficscotland.org/
• Transport Scotland - http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
• Ready Scotland - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/publicsafety/ready-scotland
For more information or advice please contact the Road Safety Unit on
101
A guide to travel warnings
Travel conditions are graded at four levels by police and transport officials
depending on the severity of the weather.
Stage 1: Normal operations - no severe weather.
Stage 2: Travel with caution - police advise people that conditions for road
travel may be hazardous.
Stage 3: High risk of disruption for road journeys - police advise that
there is a high risk of disruption for road journeys. Travellers are likely to
experience significant delays.
Stage 4: Avoid travelling on the roads - journeys should be avoided. Severe
delays expected.
What the weather warning colours mean
Yellow: Severe weather expected. Yellow means you should plan ahead
thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day-to-day
activities.
Amber Be prepared for disruption. There is an increased likelihood of bad
weather affecting you, which could potentially disrupt your plans and
possibly cause travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power
and the potential risk to life and property.
Red: Extreme weather is expected. Red means you should take action now to
keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread
damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must
avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services
and local authorities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42730725
Help us keep you & the local area moving this winter.
Follow us on facebook & twitter @GryffeRoadwatch and if you
spot or know of any road works, flooding, ice or blockages let us know!
You can send us a message via facebook or twitter or post a wee
comment on Gryffe Roadwatch or The Advertizer’s page.
deadline date for our march issue - Friday 16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!
08-13 NEW LOCAL NEWS_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 12 25/01/2018 17:29:46