Essential Winter Driving Safety Tips for New Drivers

As our snow filled roads continue to be a hazard, it’s imperative that I share the essential winter driving safety tips especially for the new drivers. Although I have been driving for a number of years now, whenever the weather changes, my mind springs back to the time when I just started driving and the fear I felt in the first few weeks. This is why whenever I need support I always call my dad to share is tips on how I can continue to be a safe driver.

Over the last few weeks, the weather has drastically changed and whilst most of us are stuck at home, there are some who still need to drive to work. For new drivers this can be quite daunting and its the reason why I wanted to share the essential winter driving safety tips that I learned from my dad. There are so many resources online as well as your car’s own handbook with tips on how drive safely during harsh weather. These tips are applicable for every driver, whether you are experienced or a total novice.

Essential Winter Driving Safety Tips for New Drivers

There is no better time to exercise plenty of caution than when one is intending to drive out on a snowy day or icy roads. Clearly, the conditions are totally different from other weather patterns and it cannot be overemphasised enough for motorists. In hopes of having a good driving experience and arriving at your destination safely, I recommend you heed the advise in the HIGHWAY CODE 228 – 231. It affords any discerning motorist with armoury of information that could turn an otherwise bad experience into something to appreciate. 

As a new driver I found comfort in checking my car’s condition before I undertook any long journeys as this is something I could control. I checked the tyres, the thread depth on them and though my car does not have a spare, its important to ensure you either have one or use the tyre repair items manufacturers provide with the car. It’s important to also check the wind screen, all the windows and made sure they were clean and not obstructed. I always travel with deicer and a scraper in the car for frosty mornings.

Other items that I check before I leave the house are:

• Is the demister working properly; 
• Are the lights working and obstruction free – if not then clean them;
• Do I have a warm drink, warm clothes and/or some spare blankets – these come in handy when you breakdown in the middle of nowhere;
• Do I have a shovel/spade that may help with clearing the snow in case your car gets stuck to snowy road surface;
• Do I have an operational first aid tool kit and a torch;
• Have I listened to the weather forecast particularly the area I intend travelling to;
• And do I really need to make this journey after all?

There are times however, when you already on the road and find yourself having to drive in snowy or icy conditions and in those instances extreme care must taken immediately. You have to drive carefully even though the road might seem ok but as experience has taught me black ice is not your friend. Whenever I am driving in such dangerous conditions I try to stay clear of other road users, I refrain from overtaking and always cautious of accidents that might already be on the road.

It is so important that before you set off on your journey to listen to the local weather conditions as sudden changes are likely to have on the road. The Highway Code cautions drivers to drive slowly in a high gear and take extra care at bends in the road. Make sure the car has a good grip on the road with the steering otherwise you can easily skid/slide into another car. At all times the steering must be done smoothly and not suddenly, I think most of us have watched too many America movies with the sudden steering.

The tips I have shared in this post are not exhaustive and its imperative for all drivers to ensure they take extra caution when driving especially during snowy and/or icy road conditions. I hope that these essential winter driving safety tips will be useful not just for the new drivers but all drivers. If you are not careful the road can be treacherous and for inexperienced drivers this could cause havoc.

Remember the following:

• Before leaving the house, ask yourself – do you really need to make this trip, can you walk it instead?
• Do you have a blanket, water, warm drinks, food and first aid kit
• How about a deicer, ice scraper or a cloth?
• Have you checked the weather of your destination?
• Are all your lights working? are the tyres in good shape?
• Do you have a warning triangle?