Experts issue road safety advice ahead of storm Eowyn

It’s crucial to ensure your visibility remains unaffected during bad weather. Damaged wiper blades will impair your visibility as they will not adequately clear snow, sleet, water or debris. If your wipers are streaky and not clearing your view, then look to get them replaced.

Additionally, you should make sure that your washer fluid is fully topped up to effectively clear dirt and grime from the windscreen.

Snowy weather conditions can almost double a car’s stopping distance, with poor visibility affecting a driver’s reactions, as well as tyres having less grip due to the damp ground. It’s a good idea, therefore, to get your brakes checked over before the weather begins to turn, to ensure that you can brake effectively in the cold conditions.

You should also remember to give yourself a cushion from other drivers. This is recommended in all weather conditions but is especially true if the weather is snowy and roads are icy. Additionally, pressing hard on your brakes in slippery conditions can cause you to skid, so it’s advisable to instead pump your brakes repeatedly if you need to stop.

Similarly, you should inspect your tyres to ensure that they will be able to cope with the treacherous conditions.

The legal minimum for tyre tread is 1.6mm, but if you’re heading into autumn and your tyres are close to the minimum requirement, it could be worth replacing them now. One method to test tyre tread is the 20p test. If you put a 20p coin in the tyre tread, you shouldn’t be able to see any of the outer rim of the coin. If you can, then the tyre is below the legal minimum.

You should also ensure that your tyres are wearing evenly across the surface, not more worn in some parts than others and don’t have cracks or damage to the walls.

Driving in cold weather and snow can cause your windows to steam up or even ice over, which can be dangerous.

Using your air conditioning, in conjunction with the heater, will help to prevent the windows from misting up and will also help melt any snow on the windscreen and windows. You should start the heater at a colder temperature, and gradually turn it up. This will allow the moisture in the air to evaporate without overloading the car with hot air, which can make it worse. Directing the heater at the windscreen will help to clear the mist.

Also to de-ice your windscreen, brush off any snow before you travel and then use either de-icer or a warm cloth to melt any ice remaining. If your car does not have air conditioning, then try driving with the window open slightly.

When driving in heavy snow and other low visibility conditions, motorists should use their headlights to ensure that they’re visible to other road users and can see more of their surroundings.

Checking that your headlights, fog lights and brake lights are all working is vitally important at this time of year. Additionally, you could consider upgrading your headlights to LED or xenon bulbs so that your visibility in bad weather is even greater.

Remember to be considerate of other road users. Keep your headlights dipped to avoid accidentally dazzling oncoming drivers.

Perhaps counterintuitively, sunglasses can be just as important in the snow as they are in the sunshine.

As the days get shorter, the sun will be lower in the sky during your morning and evening commutes, meaning that you could be dazzled by the light. This is especially true in periods of sunshine after snow, as drivers can be blinded by the light reflecting off the snowy or wet road.

Helen Robinson, Corporate Communications Director for Euro Car Parts, said: “Winter storms can be a challenging time for drivers, as weather conditions vary rapidly.

For more tips on driving in wintery weather, visit: https://www.eurocarparts.com/blog/9-top-tips-for-driving-in-the-rain