Winter driving tips

1. Allow extra time for your journey and reduce your speed to match the road conditions.
2. Increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front and be certain you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
3. Avoid sudden braking, accelerating too quickly and harsh steering in slippery conditions.
4. If visibility is seriously reduced by fog, use dipped headlights and rear fog lights. Switch on your wipers to keep your windscreen clear.
5. Remember to turn fog lights off when they are no longer needed as they can be a distraction to other drivers. Remember the obvious - You can see snow, but you can't always see patches of ice.
6. Keep your windscreen clear of snow and check from time to time that there is not a build up of snow on your lights.
7. Carry a spade, extra warm clothing, a blanket, a snack and a drink - especially if you are travelling through isolated areas.
8. If you are going on a long journey, advise someone of your destination and what time you expect to arrive.
9. Before driving in bad weather, consider whether your journey is really necessary or whether you can go by an alternative to the car.
10. If you feel unsafe when driving in bad weather, try to find a safe place to stop until conditions improve.

Please note: the above information is not intended to be all-encompassing and is provided for the purpose of general advice only. Driving tuition and/or skills development should be obtained from a suitably qualified professional instructor.