Experts share 6 tips for driving in the snow, as a white Christmas is forecast

With snow forecast to hit the UK over the next couple of days, the drive home for Christmas this year could be a snowy one.

As a result, experts at Scrap Car Comparison have given their top tips on how to drive safely in the snow, as well as the 11 essential things you should be packing in your emergency snow kit.

Dan Gick, Managing Director from Scrap Car Comparison commented:

“When it comes to weather, as we all know, the United Kingdom is pretty unpredictable and so you’ll often see a mix of snow, fog, sleet, ice and flooding – sometimes all in one trip!”

“Snow is great fun when you have a hill and a sledge, but when it comes to driving in it, it doesn’t just lack the fun element, it’s also potentially quite dangerous.” 

“Once snow has covered the roads, lane markings are harder to identify, grip lessens and the texture can change from well-trodden snow mush to ice – which becomes even more dangerous, especially if it’s hidden beneath the snow.”

Here are Scrap Car Comparison’s top tips for driving in snowy weather…

1. Change your tyres – “It’s worth upgrading to winter tyres or adding snow chains when the conditions change, as they are especially suited to these conditions and help provide more traction when driving in snowy conditions.” 
2. Layer up and dress the part – “Make sure you are wearing the appropriate clothing for driving, as whilst snow boots are great for being outside in snowy conditions, they are not suited for driving, as the tread depth is so deep it makes feeling the brake incredibly difficult. Pack an extra layer, such as a hoodie or coat, in case you get stuck on the road for any reason.”
3. Wear sunglasses – “It might seem the wrong weather for sunglasses, but it’s advisable to keep a pair of sunglasses in the glove-box. This is because when there’s a significant covering of snow and the sun is out, you could develop snow-blindness –  a temporary condition (otherwise known as photokeratitis) that occurs when your eyes have been overexposed to the sun’s UV rays.”
4. Change your driving style – “Think less Lewis Hamilton and more James May. Driving erratically is dangerous anyway but doing so during snowy weather carries even more of a risk. Harsh braking and quick acceleration can both cause skidding so it’s important to leave longer braking distances, and use slow, progressive movements as much as you can.”
5. Stock up on antifreeze – “It’s important to check that your vehicle’s coolant supply is always sufficient. Coolant and antifreeze serve the same purpose – maintaining the temperature of the engine whilst protecting it from corrosion.”
6. Pack an emergency kit – “Pack a winter care kit to leave in your car so that you always have the appropriate items available, should you find yourself in an emergency situation. We’ve created a handy checklist of what to pack in an emergency car kit in this graphic which can be downloaded here – https://we.tl/t-DEAesx3LgX“

Does this sound like something you might like to write about? If you would like to use these expert tips in a feature please credit Scrap Car Comparison using this link: https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-driving-in-winter/