Even when a few inches of snow falls in the UK the whole nation seems to come to a standstill. This week was no exception to that and the cold winter weather meant that the snow has stuck around, leaving many drivers across the country trapped in the snow. Snow storms can be unexpected and can be very dangerous, so are you prepared? Below we’ve made a short list of winter driving essentials for the snow:
Ice Scraper & De-Icer
It is the law to ensure your font and read window are clear before driving your car in the cold winter months, failure to do this will result in a £60 fine and 3 points on your license. An ice scraper and de-icer are common essentials for anyone planning to drive as they provide a quick way of clearing your window screens, rather than waiting for the car to warm-up.
A Torch
Can you think of anything worse than being stranded in the snow in the middle of nowhere, how about being stranded in the middle of nowhere in the dark? A torch is a good thing to have in your car all year round but especially over winter, a wind-up torch is always a good idea, if you don’t have one a spare set of batteries would be useful in case the ones in it are dead.
First Aid Kit
Similar to the torch this is an all-year-round essential for your vehicle. The snow can make roads very slippery and car accidents tend to be much more common in these weather conditions. A small first aid kit could be a massive help in these situations and should include the following:
- Sterile cleansing wipes
- Scissors
- Dressings
- Washproof Plasters
- A Revive-Aid resuscitation face shield – or similar product
- Nitrile powder-free gloves
Coat, Gloves, Scarfs, Boots & A Blanket
The reasons for these items are quite obvious, if you are stuck out in the snow then wrapping up warm is very important in minus temperatures. So instead of throwing away an old coat that you don’t wear anymore, why not throw it in the boot of your car, you never know when it’ll come in handy. A good pair of winter boots will stop your toes from freezing if you have to make a journey through the snow, they will also help with grip to stop you falling on your backside!
A Road Map
A lot of newer cars now come with a sat-nav so this might not apply to you, but if you don’t have a sat-nav and can’t rely on your phone for directions, due to having no signal or it being dead then it’s good to use a good old road map to navigate your way back home. Although it might seem old fashioned, not only will it navigate you to other routes but will also be useful if you have to leave the car on foot and locate the nearest fuel station or town centre.
Jump Leads
A flat battery can happen at any time of the year, but in the cold it is more likely to happen than any other time as they drain faster than normal. Having some jump lead cables will help you get going if a friendly passerby is willing to hook you up to their healthy battery.
Interested in getting insurance with us? For more information you can speak to one of our helpful staff who can advise you on any of our policies on 01782 280280 or complete one of our Online Quote Forms.