Winter Driving Module Winter Driving · windscreen is clean inside and out. Clear the heater air...

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MODULAR PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT YOUR DRIVING DEVELOPMENT

Winter Driving Module

Winter Driving

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Winter Driving Seminar

The variety of weather conditions in a British winter can increase stress on vehicles and drivers.

It is important that vehicles and drivers are correctly prepared for these changeable conditions at the onset of

winter.

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Winter Driving SeminarLow sun

Rain

Flooding

Micro climates

Mist & fog

Snow, ice & frost

High winds

The variety of weather conditions in a British winter can increase stress on vehicles and drivers.

It is important that vehicles and drivers are correctly prepared for these changeable conditions at the onset of

winter.

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Winter Driving Seminar

The variety of weather conditions in a British winter can increase stress on drivers and vehicles.

It is important that drivers and vehicles are correctly prepared for these changeable conditions at the onset of

winter.

We will show you how to prepare for and cope with these conditions.

Low sun

Rain

Flooding

Micro climates

Mist & fog

Snow, ice & frost

High winds

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Potential Hazards!

Poor visibility

Eye Strain

Contrast levels

Low winter sunlight.

When drivingeast in the morning or west in theafternoon thesun will be low in the sky Directly in front of you.

Keep allwindows clean

use sunglassesif necessary

take extra care going from bright sunlightto shadow.

Use dippedHeadlights if itWill help othersTo see you.

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Potential Hazards!

Poor visibility

Spray

Stopping distances

Rain

Heavy rain brings the danger of surface water, deep puddlesand the risk of aquaplaningon faster roads,especially motorways.

Keep allwindows clear

use dippedheadlights

increase yourfollowingdistance.

Consider using fog lights if visibility is below 100 metres

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Flooded RoadsHow do you know how deep it is?

Get out andcheck the depth.

Watch someoneelse going through.

Do hedgerows, fences, verge markers or kerbs give a clue to the depth?

Remember,under everypuddle there isa potentialpothole or worse andyou cannot seehow deep it is!

So how should you drive through floods?

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Flooded Roads

Drive through floods slowly.

Do not create a bow wave.

Try to keep the engine revsquite high butroad speed low.

Avoid crossing atthe same time asanother vehicle.

Always checkYour brakes as soon as it is safe to do, afterdriving throughfloods or deeppuddles.

Keep a tight gripon the steeringwheel.

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Micro climates

A micro climate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area which can result inunexpecteddriving situations

Potential Hazards!

Standing water

Unmelted frost & ice

Damp leaves & more

Micro climates Can be caused by trees, walls, bridges, hedges, fences, large bodies of water nearby, woods and even newly ploughed fields.

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Mist & Fog

Fog doesn't cause crashes.

Driving too close to the vehicle in frontdoes!

Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front.

Potential Hazards!

Seeing problems much later.

Drivers not using lights

Potential for rear end shunts

When can youuse fog lights?

When should they be switched off?

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Snow, Frost and IceBefore setting off

Potential Hazards!

Snow & ice on vehicles

Snow & ice on shoes

Reduced visibility

Always take timeto clear snow &ice from the

vehicle including roof, bonnet and boot.Make sure the windscreen is clean inside andout.

Clear the heaterair intake andany snow that could compactunder the windscreenwipers.

Allow extra timefor yourjourney, forclearing thesnow off the vehicle andpreparing somefood and warmdrinks in caseof emergencies.

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Snow and IceBefore setting off

Always clear the windscreen completelyInside & out.

It takes time somake sure youallow yourselfenough!

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Snow and IceHow to keep moving

Potential Hazards!

Increased Journey times

Poor visibility

Broken down or abandoned vehicles

Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly.

Remember stopping distances may be up to 10 times greater so good observation and anticipation is needed.

Some 4x4 vehicles go almost anywhere with all that extra traction but do they stop any better than 2 wheel drive cars?

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Snow and IceHow to keep moving

When driving in snow, get your speed right - not too fast so that you risk losing control, but not so slow that you risk losing momentum when you need it.

keep your speed high enough to get you up a slope without being too fast to be dangerous,

On hillslet the car ahead get all the way up a slope before you start up it, in case it comes back down again.

Potential Hazards!

Increased stopping distances

Other traffic

Broken down or abandoned vehicles

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High Winds

Potential Hazards!

Large vehicles blown into your path

Turbulence as you pass lorries

Danger of falling trees and flying debris

Take extra care around bicycles and

motorcycles

High winds will affect high sided vehicles. On motorways and dual carriageways take care when passing them as they may be blown sideways or temporarily shield you from the wind.

On country roads there is a danger of falling trees and in town pedestrians can be blown into the road and advertising hoardings or other debris can be blown around.

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Preparation – a few questions to ask yourself.

Your VehicleHas the vehicle been serviced recently?

Are there any known problems with the vehicle?

Consider taking advantage of winter checks whichare available.

Perform regular vehicle checks yourself.

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Vehicle Checks

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Vehicle Checks

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When should you use dipped headlights?

When should you use fog lights?

And when should they be switched off again?

Check all lights

Keep windows clean and free from streaks and glareInside and out.

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The basics

Low fuel level.

Keep the fuel tank topped up to avoid being caught out in bad weather.

Know your Vehicle.

Vehicle familiarisation

Know whatall the warning lights mean.

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The basics

Know your Vehicle.

Vehicle familiarisation

If in doubtcheck the handbook.

This symbolIndicates a low outsidetemperatureusually about 3º or 4ºC

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Preparation – a few questions to ask yourself.

YOUAre you in good health?

Eyesight, hearing, on medication, physically fit?

It is important to note that it is not only cold remedies that could affect your driving – always check the side

effects of medicines before driving.

Do you have appropriate clothing and footwear?

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Clothing and footwear

Outdoor clothingMay be too bulky to allowgood controlof the vehicle.

Wear suitable footwear to allow full controlof the vehicle even if this means changingbefore driving off.

Thick glovesdon't allow easyaccess tocontrols.

Bulky coatsrestrict movement.

Boots restrictleg movementand snow, iceand stones canlodge in thesoles.

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Planning the route

• Where possible, select a route that will be less affected by bad weather.

• Check the weather and traffic reports for the full length of the journey and allow for delays.

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Preparation

Ensure that you take equipment and supplies appropriate

to the weather conditions you expect.

For example food, warm drinks, ice scraper,

torch, hi viz jacket, de-icer, blanket etc..

It is best to keep these items in the car and not

the boot (properly packed so that

nothing rolls around)!

In snow and ice you may also consider keeping jump leads, boots, blankets, a spade etc. In the boot.

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Before setting off, check for weather conditions on your route.

• Even on short journeys it is necessary to know how the weather may change during your journey so that you can be prepared.

• Take note of local radio/TV and Internet forecasts and continue to listen to local radio traffic announcements.

• Mobile phone apps can also give local information but always park the vehicle with the parking brake on and engine off when consulting these to remain legal.

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On longer journeys use national information.

• For information on weather conditions and hold ups visit the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk

• Traffic master gives live updates of traffic conditions. Their website is www.trafficmaster.co.uk and you can receive up to the minute weather and traffic reports by calling 1740 from a mobile or 0906 470 1740 from a land line.

• Traffic England (www.trafficengland.com), trafficscotland and trafficwales also give access to live traffic information

• Or use a website such as Transport Direct or the RAC to help plan your journey.

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Before setting off, set up the sat. nav& mobile phone.

• If using a mobile phone make sure the batteries are charged or you have an in-car charger for the device.

• Install important phone numbers in the phone for quick and easy access such as contacts at your destination(s) and at your base.

• Save the text number for RAC traffic information on the phone for up to date information, phone 64644 or visit http://rac.mobi.

• You may be able to get a smartphone app to give you updates.

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During your journey

• Modern radios are RDS enabled and by selecting “TA” on the

radio You will receive traffic announcements along your route

• As a general rule when a traffic announcement is received it

will take priority over the CD player or any program you are

listening to and you can set the volume independently.

• Check your vehicle or radio handbook for exact details.

• Use the TA function on your radio if available

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During your journey

• Many navigation systems now give live updates of traffic problems on your route.

• Make sure you know how to use this facility and set it up along with your route BEFORE starting the journey.

• Use voice announcements rather than on screen guidance.

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During your journey

• Do you use cruise control?

• You should switch it off in bad weather or in any conditions in which your vehicle may aquaplane.

• Never use cruise control in snow or icy conditions.

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Summary.

Prepare your car

Prepare yourself

Plan your journeys to take account of the weather

Allow extra time for journeys in bad weather

Anticipate changing Conditions

Keep more space around your vehicle when driving

Beware of wet, dark nights – these are the highest risk

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Do you have any questions or comments?

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Winter Driving Module Winter Driving · windscreen is clean inside and out. Clear the heater air...

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Transcript of Winter Driving Module Winter Driving · windscreen is clean inside and out. Clear the heater air...