MOTORISTS in Carmarthenshire are being urged to take care and stay safe this winter.
The council’s road safety unit is reminding residents to prepare their vehicles as the weather turns colder and conditions become more treacherous.
If snow or icy roads are forecast you should adjust your driving to suit the conditions, particularly on untreated roads.
Executive Board Member for Transport Cllr Hazel Evans said: “With winter just around the corner, making sure you and your car are prepared is important to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
“In bad weather ask whether you really need to make the journey or can it wait until the conditions improve? If however you do need to travel, always make sure you have enough fuel and that you let others know where you are going and when they can expect to see you return.”
Check:
- Lights are clean and working
- Battery is fully charged
- Windscreen, wiper blades and other windows are clean and the washer bottle filled with
- screen wash
- Tyres are in good condition – tread depth and pressure (of all the tyres, including the spare)
- All fluids and oils are kept topped up, especially windscreen wash, anti-freeze and oil.
- Stock up on de-icer, windscreen wash, oil and anti-freeze at the start of winter.
Put together an emergency kit and consider carrying the following:
- Tow rope
- A shovel
- Wellington boots
- A hazard warning triangle
- De-icing equipment
- First aid kit (in good order)
- A working torch
- A car blanket
- Warm clothes
- A flask and food
- Mobile phone
Planning your journey:
- Is the journey essential to make?
- Check the weather forecasts.
- Keep updated on local travel information by listening to the radio.
- Inform someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive.
- Take a mobile telephone for use in the event of an emergency.
- Equip yourself with warm clothes, boots, a blanket, a hot drink in a flask, a high-energy snack, a shovel/spade, a pen and paper and a torch.
- Take snow chains if you have them.
- Clear your windows and mirrors before you set off and a keep a scraper and can of de-icer in your vehicle at all times.
Snow:
- If you are unfortunate enough to break down or get your vehicle stuck in severe wintry conditions, consider your surroundings. If you are located in a remote area it may be advisable to remain in your vehicle until help arrives.
- If you decide to leave your vehicle, leave a note in a prominent location inside the vehicle stating where you are going and be physically prepared for the elements outside.
- Snow ploughs and emergency services will aim to reach areas in which they know there are difficulties, so remaining with your vehicle is often the best option.
Icy and slushy roads:
- It takes 10 times longer to stop on an icy road than on a dry road. Drive slowly and allow plenty of stopping distance.
- High gears prevent wheel spin.
- Avoid harsh braking and acceleration.
- To brake, use the gears to assist in slowing the vehicle before depressing the brake pedal,
- If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator but do not brake suddenly.
Fog:
- Try to ascertain your true level of visibility and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles at all times.
- Remember that conditions change rapidly as fog is often patchy.
- Use dipped headlights, or fog lights if visibility is seriously limited, but remember to switch them off when visibility improves.
- Keeping a safe distance does not necessarily mean being able to see the taillights of the vehicle in front; they may be driving too fast for the conditions. Do not rely on someone else to lead and dictate your speed.
- If visibility starts to improve do not speed up as it may quickly deteriorate again.
Flooded roads:
- Check the depth of the water before proceeding through it. If it is too deep don’t risk it. The deepest water is usually near the kerb – avoid this area.
- Drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch to prevent stalling.
- Once through, check that your brakes have not been affected by water before returning to normal speed.
For further information visit the council website’s emergency planning pages on winter weather.
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