Never lose sight of the fact that
your journey starts sooner than
you think. If your car is kept on the
street, remember to approach
with caution. Many nasty injuries
can result from slipping on the ice
as you near the car. Always hold
the car key pointing away from
your body. As for door locks – the
butane lighter is handy, but be
careful not to burn your fingers.
Some older motorists wrap
their cars in a blanket: always
remember to remove it before
driving off.
That old dodge of putting
newspaper under the windscreen
wipers is not so effective if
temperatures really plummet,
because it can freeze to the
screen. Much better to train some
cats to sleep on the car (easier
to do if your car has a catalytic
converter): there again, in severe
weather, fur can freeze to metal
so this is not failsafe advice.
Seasonal snowfalls can bring out
children eager to play, slide, and
toboggan – and quite often they
can be heedless of road safety
and the fact that toboggans
have no brakes. That ‘something’
out of the corner of your eye
could be a sledge hurtling
towards you uncontrollably. But
if you hear jingling bells don’t
be alarmed: it’s just a jolly man
in a red suit going about his
business. And beware packs
of foxes chasing hounds across
country roads, with eco-warriors
in attendance shouting Holly Tal!
Holly Tal!
It’s unlikely that many of us will
experience the extreme hazard
of being trapped in a blizzard. But
if you are, and have used your
mobile phone to call for help, and
are powerless to do anything but
wait – remember – hearty singing is
an excellent way of keeping one’s
spirits up. What’s more, it doesn’t
drain your battery.
Distress flares should be considered
too. They come in convenient
sizes but should not be kept in any
situation where an accidental
discharge could wreak havoc. (You
might wish to consult with your local
Health and Safety Officer before
taking this step).
Don’t forget that keeping nutritious
snacks in the car is a good idea.
They keep energy levels high and
help you stay alert. Where ‘winter’
is concerned the figure must take
second place: better to munch
than crunch!
Many motorists have asked whether
winter brings a greater threat of
terrorist activity; but I understand
that this is not the case. The terrorist
threat unfortunately remains in force
throughout the year. However,
it’s small consolation to know that
winter will not increase the threat
in any way – but customary
vigilance must be exercised at
all times. If you see someone
with a hosepipe spraying
water over the road in icy
conditions, remember, he
might just be a farmer
swilling away mud for
your safety and not a
terrorist.
Four-by-four drivers may feel an air
of smugness pervade their cabs
in winter, but even though these
vehicles are highly appropriate for
hazardous conditions, due care and
attention is still essential at all times,
and courtesy should be extended
to other road users – especially if
they’re stuck and you’re not.
When the weather gets cold some
motorists are alarmed that there is
too much steam coming from their
exhaust: be assured that in these
conditions this is perfectly natural.
Just as people produce ‘frosty’
breath, so do exhaust pipes.
So there you have it. In the
end, when the robins have their
overcoats on it’s time to think
‘protective driving’. Remember –
concentration, anticipation, and
acclimatisation to the conditions,
hold the key to successful winter
driving.
As for
motorcyclists:
my advice is
simply – DO