Heavy snowfall has been forecast for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from Sunday afternoon for 48 to 72 hours, according to weather alerts and warnings from the Met Office
Drivers have been urged to follow a little-known new recommended speed limit from today.
Heavy snowfall has been forecast for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from Sunday (November 17) for 48 to 72 hours, according to weather alerts and warnings from the Met Office.
This means that all drivers travelling in snowy weather need to keep a close eye on their speed, Birmingham Live reports. Simon Waye, technical engineer at ATS Euromaster, said most people do not know the rules for driving in these conditions.
“Over half (60%) of drivers don’t know the recommended driving distance in snow and ice,” he explained.
“When the roads are icy, they will inevitably be more slippery than usual, and braking distances can be 10 times more than on a dry road.” He advised: “Highways England therefore advises to slow down and keep 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front. It also advises to drive particularly slowly around any bends.”
He added: “Braking and accelerating as smoothly as possible is important, particularly on ice, in order to reduce the chances of skidding. Avoid any harsh acceleration and to slow down, use gear changes and light touches of the brake to show your brake lights to cars behind you.”
The RAC said: “Allow for more time than you normally would before you leave to clear car windows, mirrors, lights and the top of your roof of snow before setting off, driving with snow on you car could result in you breaking the law. You will also need to de-ice your windscreen – which is a vital part of winter driving. Pay attention to these tips to keep your windscreen clear.
“Knowing how to de-mist your windscreen in double-quick time can be equally as important. It’s also a good idea to carry a lock de-icer with you to clear your lock. If your locks do get frozen, try warming the key or spraying de-icer or an oil-based lubricant into the lock. The following checks will also be time consuming so it is worth factoring them in too before you set off.”
