Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to postpone journeys, as bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snow are predicted for the coming days. GEM is advising drivers to minimise risks if they need to care for vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours.
GEM is once again encouraging drivers to make good use of some simple safety tips in order to reduce the chance of risk, delay and difficulty.
- Don’t drive if you don’t really need to. If you have to make a road journey, ensure your car is properly equipped for the likely conditions.
- Listen for weather updates, and plan your travel accordingly.
- Prepare a set of essential items, including a shovel, fully charged mobile phone, torch, ice scraper food, water, jump leads, first aid kit, warm clothes and a supply of sand or gravel to assist with grip if your wheels are spinning.
- Keep your speeds down, leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front, don’t overtake gritter trucks, and be ready for sudden, rapid deteriorations in conditions.
- Remember that driving in winter conditions can be hard work, so ensure you build in breaks on your journeys.
- Make sure you have an active breakdown policy so should the worse happen you know you can be rescued wherever you might be.
