Driving safely in bad weather

The recent onset of inclement weather should be reminding UK drivers of the need for extra caution when driving in poor conditions. It should also be reminding all drivers, especially young drivers of the need for good car insurance cover. Being involved in a road traffic accident can be very costly, whether you’re at fault or not. Although most drivers have the attitude that accidents can’t happen to them, the fact remains that every driver is just as vulnerable as anyone else using the road. All drivers, especially young and novice drivers must take extra care if they wish to avoid car crashes. 

During 2007, in the UK alone there were 369 people killed, 3,910 people seriously injured, and 24,771 people slightly injured due to car crashes involving inclement weather. There have been at least 11 more people killed in December, 2010, due to accidents caused by this last bit of inclement weather. Statistics show that 90%-95% of all auto accidents are due to driver error and aggressive driving in even the best of driving conditions. Therefore, inclement weather warrants using extreme caution.

Inclement weather hazards

There are numerous hazardous conditions during inclement weather. Some may be very obvious, while others are less apparent. Here’s a list of hazards to be alert for:

Ø Limited visibility: Remember if you can’t see well due to the weather or road conditions, then it’s very likely other drivers probably can’t see very well either. Make sure you and your vehicle are visible to others.

Ø Slippery roads: Remember roads can become very slippery when wet, especially when it first begins to rain, sleet, or snow because the oil on the road becomes slicker. 

Ø Snow, ice, and slush on roads: Remember that not all ice is visible to the human eye, especially after dark. Not only can there be ice and snow on the road from the natural snow or ice storm, it can be there from dropping off of vehicles travelling on the road, or be blown on to the road from snow drifts along side the road. In 2007 UK, 515 accidents during daylight hours and 311 more accidents during darkness were due to snow combined with driver error.
Ø Windscreen dazzle/snow glare: In Autumn, the sun can hang low enough to blind drivers. In winter, the snow can cause a glare that blinds drivers. It’s a good idea to keep a high-quality pair of sunglasses in your vehicle, within easy reach of the driver.