Be informed

In severe and wintry weather it’s even more important to plan your journey.

Before you set off it's worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren't any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too – but remember never use your phone while driving. Always allow extra time and listen to warnings or advice and consider whether or not your journey is essential

• Visit RAC Traffic Information and Highways Agency Traffic Information
• Check the weather on MetOffice website
• For premium traffic updates dial 64644* for traffic updates on the move
• Why not download the RAC Traffic App from iTunes or Android Market
• Follow RAC on twitter @RAC_breakdown or like the RAC Facebook page facebook.com/rac

Remember to take regular breaks from driving – tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It’s worth making these checks regularly – and particularly before a long journey:

• Check and top-up the anti-freeze in the radiator
• Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs
• Ensure your windscreen is clean
• Replace the battery if it's not reliable
• Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum. For further information please see tyresafe.org
• Read more information on winter driving on RAC Knowledge page
• Watch RAC instructional videos on how to do basic car checks and maintenance on rac.co.uk/videos

View RAC instructional videos on how to check your tyres

*calls to this number cost 60p per minute

Be prepared

Check your vehicle is ready for winter and always carry an emergency kit.

Regular servicing, and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road.

But be prepared RAC Breakdown cover (link to page)

Gather a few items at the start of the winter season and keep them in your car – just in case. Below are items that should be in your emergency kit:

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch and spare batteries – or a wind-up torch
• Warm clothes and a blankets – for you and all passengers
• Boots
• First aid kit
• Jump start cables
• Food and a warm drink in a thermos
• A shovel
• Reflective warning sign
• Road atlas
• Sunglasses - the glare of the snow can be dazzling

For winter driving products visit racshop.co.uk

Before each journey in severe weather

• Clean any snow and ice from all windows, lights and number plates and the roof of the vehicle
• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and take an in-car charger with you
• Take some food and a warm drink in a flask in case you get stuck. And don’t forget any personal medication too.

Be aware

Even if the time and location of snowfall is perfectly forecast, work to clear the snow can’t start until after it has fallen and it will take time to treat the road with salt to reduce the risk of ice.

So remember:

• Drive carefully and adjust your driving to the conditions
• Don’t rush – allow more time for your journey. Plan ahead with Rac route planner.
• Always check the weather forecast and try to get home ahead of the snowfall

Be wise

Road and weather conditions may change, drive with care.

When you’re on the road, pay attention to the changing road, traffic and weather conditions. Be ready to slow down and take more care – even if you drive every day on the same stretch of road.

When driving in adverse weather:

• Watch out for ice! Even after roads have been treated in winter, driving conditions may remain challenging.
• Watch out for locations where you may need to drive more carefully, either because of side winds or greater risk of ice. Common examples are:
  • Changes in road elevation or exposure
  • Where the road passes under or over a bridge
  • Things at the side of the road that shade the carriageway

Driving in Fog

• Use dipped headlights
• If it’s really foggy then switch your fog lights and rear high intensity lights on.
• Fog is often patchy so try not to speed up as visibility improves. You could suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.

Driving through ice and snow

• Clear snow off all windows, number plates and lights – so you can be seen.
• It’s not always obvious that the road is icy. Look for clues such as ice on the pavement or on your windscreen, before you start your journey. If your tyres are making virtually no noise on the road it could be a sign that you’re driving on ice.
• Don’t brake harshly
• Look out for winter service vehicles – stay well back and do not overtake unless it is safe to do so as there may be uncleared snow or untreated surfaces on the road ahead.

Driving in the rain

• When the road’s wet, it can take twice as long to stop. Slow down and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
• If your vehicle loses its grip, or “aquaplanes” on surface water take your foot off the accelerator to slow down.

Driving in windy weather

• Take extra care on the roads and plan your journeys
• High sided vehicles are particularly affected by windy weather but strong gusts can also blow a vehicle, cyclist or motorcyclist off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong crosswinds or when passing bridges or gaps in trees.