Dealing with Icy Roads this Winter
For many people across the globe, the UK is pretty much synonymous with bad weather. And considering its proximity to sunshine havens such as Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean coast, it probably is fair to say that few tourists ever venture to the UK for its weather alone.
But on the other hand, the extent of the ‘bad weather’ is usually nothing more than a little wind and rain, and the extreme weather events that plague many of the more tropical parts of the world causing mass destruction don’t even come close to striking UK shores.
However, that’s not to say that there aren’t weather-related hazards to be wary of at certain times of the year. Indeed, perhaps one of the greatest hazards that the thirty or so million road users in the UK face each year is icy roads.
Most people will have encountered what’s known as ‘black ice’ at some point in their lives. It is so-called not because it is actually black, but because it usually takes the form of a thin coating of clear ice on a dark surface, making it very hard to detect for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
Of course, the causes of black ice are well understood as it usually forms when snow melts and then freezes again or when rain is followed by a particularly chilly spell. But, knowing the tell-tale weather conditions doesn’t make it any easier to spot the black ice hotspots.
And this is why it’s important that drivers learn how to deal with these often unpredictable road conditions when they encounter them.
If the tyres are making less noise than usual on the ground below, this is often a sign that there is ice below. If the vehicle subsequently starts to skid, the most important point to remember is not to brake, as this will simply lock the wheels of the car and it will skid further. The best solution is to depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid and when the vehicle straightens, try to steer the vehicle along the road.
But regardless of the skills and aptitude of the driver, research has shown that accident rates are in fact 31% higher in the winter months than in the summer months. In addition, as a direct result of ice on the road, an estimated 20% of all drivers have experienced an accident on the road.
And given these statistics, perhaps the best advice any driver could follow would be to simply seek out the best UK car insurance quotes. Simply because not only will this ensure that no more is being paid each month than is absolutely necessary, but it will also help to guarantee that adequate cover is in place should an accident happen.
—
Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
