The New Year has been brought in with snowy, icy and frosty conditions in the UK which can be extremely challenging on the roads and can often lead to serious accidents. The first few months of the year can notoriously be treacherous for driving, with the possibility of black ice, flash floods and extreme winds. Whether you are a black cab driver, working in the city, or are operating a standard taxi in the more rural areas, we have gathered some winter driving hints and advice to keep both you and your passengers safe on the road.
Shine Bright
Visibility is crucial, particularly during this time of year when we have very few daylight hours each day. Keeping your headlights on even throughout the day will benefit you both in terms of being able to see the road as well as possible, and to ensure that you are visible to other vehicles. You should also be sure to check your lights – the AA recommends doing so once a fortnight – by parking in front of a reflective surface to check all lights including your brake lights are in proper working order.
Rays of Light
Low sun glare can be an additional hazard on the roads – the Department for Transport has recorded that 3,900 accidents are caused by this every year and with the sunrise and sunset occurring during the busier hours of the day, this is more of a danger for winter driving. It is important to ensure that your windscreen is completely clean to avoid making it more difficult to see clearly, so top up your screen wash regularly. Visors can also help deflect the sun, or you could consider wearing sunglasses on particularly bright days.
Keep at a Safe Distance
The general rule of thumb is that you should keep a two-second driving distance between your vehicle and the one in front, which will provide you with more time to react if they stop suddenly. In poor road conditions, however, this distance should be doubled to four-seconds to ensure you have adequate time and space to stop, particularly if visibility is poor or if the road is wet or icy.
Brake Carefully
It is important to accelerate, change gears and brake smoothly and carefully to avoid skidding on icy roads and make sure that your wheels do not lock. Tyres grip less efficiently and braking distances can be up to ten times greater on ice, so again keep a much bigger gap between yourself and others.
Be Prepared
Finally, it is a good idea to keep a supply of resources that will help if you become stuck during a journey. Pack a shovel to allow you to clear your vehicle and an old rug that you can place under your wheels to move off on the ice. Additionally make sure you have a warm blanket, some bottled water and food that can keep you and your passengers warm and comfortable while you wait for help in the case of an emergency. Finally, be sure to equip your taxi with a phone charger so that you can make contact for assistance if necessary.
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